Obituary of Alta Mae Mertz

Alta M. Mertz Sidney, NY Alta Mae Mertz, 80, of Sidney, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 31, 2015 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was born on January 6, 1935 in Johnson City, daughter of the late Truman and Ida (Dyer) Charles. On April 24, 1954, Alta was married to Alfred Mertz. They shared 61 happy years of marriage and memories. Alta retired from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1529 in Sidney after working as a secretary and bookkeeper for many years. Alta enjoyed telling stories, and loved to play Bingo. She had a gift with animals and they naturally gravitated toward her. She was a loving mother and grandmother and will be dearly missed. Alta is survived by: her beloved husband, Alfred Mertz of Sidney; five children: Pamela Gavan and her husband, Hank of Norfolk, VA, Timothy Mertz of Norfolk, VA, Christine Kalatzis and her husband, Vassilis of Virginia Beach, VA, Amber Rowe and her husband, Jason of Bainbridge and Angie Simpkin and her husband, Kyle of Bainbridge; grandchildren: Michael, Giorgos, Kerasina, Angela, Skyler, Austin and Justice; two great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Alta was predeceased by her grandson, Timothy Mertz, Jr., sister, Dorris Ramsey, and brother, Donald Charles. Friends are invited to call from 5:00-7:00pm on Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main St. Sidney. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, August 5th at the funeral chapel with Fr. Gordon Polenz officiating. Burial will follow in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Sidney. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Alta's memory may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.landersfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.