Joel L. "Mert" Mertel, 79, of 21 Fern Road, St. Marys, died on Tuesday morning, August 1, 2017 at Penn Highlands Elk following a lengthy illness.

He was born on October 14, 1937, in St. Marys, a son of the late Aurelius and Genevieve Mallison Mertel.

On October 21, 1967 in St. Marys, he married Paula Bauman Mertel, who survives.

Mert was Catholic by faith and was a lifelong resident of the area.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving from 1960-1966 during the Vietnam War.  He worked for Bauman's Plumbing and Heating and was a member of the Local 354 Plumbers and Pipe Fitters.  He took great pleasure in golfing, entertaining, and cooking.  He also enjoyed his granddog, Bella.  Mert always enjoyed a good Straub's beer, and was an avid fan of the Pirates, Steelers, Penn State, Pitt, and Nascar.

In addition to his wife of nearly 50 years, Paula Bauman Mertel, he is survived by two daughters, Pam Mertel of St. Marys and Tracey (John) Anderson of Boston, and by one son, William (Kathleen) Mertel of Pittsburgh, and by several in-laws and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral Services for Joel L. "Mert:" Mertel will be held on Saturday, August 5, 2017, at 11:00 AM at First United Methodist Church, 140 N. St. Marys Street, St. Marys, PA with Rev. Tim Hoover, Pastor, officiating.
Interment will be in Parklawn Memorial Gardens.
Military Honors will be accorded by the St. Marys Servicemen's Burial Detail.

Visitation will be held at the Lynch-Green Funeral Home on Friday, August 4, 2017 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM.

Memorial Contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church or to the Community Nurses, Inc.