Sept. 26, 1947 – Aug. 24, 2018
Dennis Wayne Mertel passed from this world on Aug. 24, 2018, surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren.
Dennis was born Sept. 26, 1947, to Bernard and Eleanor Mertel in La Salle, Illinois, shortly after Bernard returned from deployment in WWII. He lived in Illinois for a short time in his youth. His parents chose to relocate to Southern California and landed in Bellflower.
In Bellflower he attended elementary school, junior high and finally graduated from Mayfair High School. Around the age of 16 he started working with his dad in an auto body repair shop. He loved it so much he went on to become a talented auto body repairman, following in his father’s footsteps.
After high school he was drafted to the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He made it through boot camp and was deployed to Vietnam. After a short time there, he was discharged due to his asthma.
Upon his return home he met and married his first wife in 1968. He was blessed with a son, Daniel Mertel, and two daughters, Dawn Morrison and Alicia Comstock. The couple was married 12 years before they parted ways.
Shortly thereafter he met the love of his life, Patricia English Mertel. Not only did Dennis marry his beautiful bride but he also wrapped his heart around another daughter, his stepdaughter Charmane Warren. With his new family blended he relocated them to Whittier, California, in the mid-1980s and bought a beautiful home to raise them.
After a contentious custody battle, Dennis was awarded full custody of his three children from his first marriage. The new happy family lived and thrived in Whittier for 14 years until Dennis and Patricia purchased their retirement property in idyllic Toquerville, Utah.
Dennis and Patricia lived with Patricia’s mother while they built the home of their dreams. When their home was complete they moved in and never looked back.
Dennis enjoyed gardening, playing cribbage, bowling, woodworking and mild home improvements. He was a hardworking man who fought hard to provide a beautiful life for his wife and children.
He is survived by a loving family comprised of Patricia Mertel (wife), Dan Mertel (son), Megan Mertel (Dan’s wife), Trevor, Braden, Kaden, Cole (Dan and Megan’s boys), Alicia Comstock (daughter), Richard Comstock (Alicia’s husband), Charmane Warren (stepdaughter), David Warren (Charmane’s husband), Joshua, Wyatt (Charmane and David’s boys), Dawn Morrison (daughter), Zac Miller (Dawn’s fiancé), Zyanne (Zac’s daughter), Presley (Dawn and Eric’s son), and Eric Morrison (son-in-law).
His legacy lives on in our hearts and in heaven. We love you.
Funeral services
- Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Aug. 29, at 10 a.m. at the Spilsbury Hurricane Valley Mortuary, 25 N. 200 West, Hurricane.
- There will be a viewing Tuesday, Aug. 28, from 6-8 p.m. and Wednesday one hour prior to services, both held at the mortuary.
- Interment will take place in the Toquerville Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-673-2454.
For condolences, full obituary and funeral listings please visit Spilsbury Mortuary online.