Ronald Mertz, 73, of Rockford, passed away peacefully in the early evening of March 19 at Houston's MD Anderson Cancer Center alongside friends, family & his loving wife of 50 years, Nancie King Mertz.
Ron became ill in Sept 2024 during a river cruise through Portugal to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Upon their return to the U.S., Ron was diagnosed with aggressive leukemia and promptly began treatment. After exhausting all conventional treatment methods, in January 2025, Ron was transferred to MD Anderson with the hope of a clinical trial. After 2 months of critical illness, Ron succumbed to leukemia.
Ron was the third son born to Walden Frank & Patricia Miers Mertz on May 8, 1951, joining brothers Steven & Wally. The family resided in Lima, OH prior to moving to Rockford, IL in the early 60s.
It was in Rockford, IL where Ron soon met life-long friends: Charles & Lynn (Giuliani) Stierman, Lyle & Marti (Hand) Frantz and Keith Boland w

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