James L. Mertz

James L. Mertz, of Cheshire, CT, died November 6, 2025 in his home at the age of 85. His death came unexpectedly while working on one of his favorite hobbies - separating, cataloguing, and storing his dahlia tubers for the winter. He was a devoted husband to his loving wife of 59 years Margaret (Margie), and a proud father to his sons John (Elizabeth Hall) of Nutley, NJ, and Stephen of Eugene, OR. His greatest joy came from his three grandchildren - Alyssandre Mertz of Nutley, NJ, Oskar Mertz and Alexander Khiery of Eugene, OR.

Jim lived a life of service to others and gratitude to his Lord for the many blessings he received during his earthly life. He was the model of the concept of servant leadership. In all of his activities, his first thought and all of his actions put the needs of others ahead of his own. He cared deeply about his educational upbringing in Kansas, from his small two room grade school in Wabaunsee, his high school in Wamego and culminating with a doctoral degree in biochemistry from Kansas State University. Along the way he made many lifelong friends who will mourn his departure. He enjoyed a special brand of brotherhood with his Beta Theta Pi fraternity brothers at Kansas State, which included Margie’s brother John Koepke. These bonds remained strong the rest of his life.

Family always played a leading role in everything Jim undertook in his life. Growing up on a family farm, his parents, Laurence and Isabelle, and his siblings, twin John Mertz (deceased), sister Mary Helen Robles, and younger brother Richard Mertz, created a firm foundation for his treatment of others. Jim almost never met a stranger. Everyone he met was an opportunity for a new friend. Family members and friends who traveled with Jim became used to temporary delays while Jim made these new acquaintances. Jim met the love of his life, Margie, while a student at KSU and they remained devoted to each other until the end. Their sons and their families always occupied a primary place in the activities of the Mertz family.

Jim’s work experience led him to scientific leadership positions in pharmaceutical companies in three states, New York, Indiana and Connecticut. Through all of his research studies, Jim always remained cognizant of the effect of his projects on the environment and its human inhabitants. He had a vision of the long term potential of the benefits and the hazards that may be the outcomes of his research. Faith was a primary feature of Jim’s servant leadership mentality. Church choirs, Vacation Bible School and the Meriden Soup Kitchen benefitted from his active participation.

In retirement, Jim focused on his love of gardening. What was once a hobby became a focus. Come summer, neighbors and friends always had fresh cut flowers on their tables and vegetables in their refrigerators. He also joined the board of directors for the Cheshire Land Trust and was particularly proud of his involvement with the Ives Farm.

Funeral services will be on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Cheshire Lutheran Church, 660 W Main St., Cheshire, at 11:00 am followed by an inurnment service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cheshire Lutheran Church, PO Box 157, Cheshire, CT 06410 or the Cheshire Land Trust, PO Box 781, Cheshire, CT 06410.