Fred Merz

Frederick Paul "Fred" Merz, 84, of Fort Wayne, died Friday April 28, 2023 at Parkview Regional Hospital, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born in Fort Wayne on December 1, 1938, the son of (the late) Raymond J. and Mary Jane (Staley) Merz Leiter. Fred married Rebecca A. “Becky” (Koepke) Merz on July 15, 1961; Becky preceded him in death on January 28, 2023 after 61 years of marriage. He was a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church - Hessen Cassel, and he enjoyed woodworking, yardwork, and cooking. Fred and Becky together demonstrated the importance of family and friendship; they devotedly loved & served others, and the community. Fred was the owner of Fred P. Merz Heating & Plumbing for 25 years. He later became a plumbing inspector and assistant building commissioner for the Allen County Building Department for 20 years. Fred also served on the board of directors of the Anthis Career Center building trades academy. He is survived by his daughters;  Amy (Mike) Krucina of Fort Wayne, Jennifer Kraner of Celina OH and Patty (Kent) Fingerle of Fort Wayne; his grandchildren,  Amy Luthanen, Andrew Kraner, Angela Shweitzer, Ashley Zelaya, Rebecca Kraner and Caleb Kraner, all in Celina OH,  Emily Krucina, Vincent Krucina, Maria Krucina, Miranda (Adrian) Avilla, Isaac Fingerle and Clem Fingerle, all of Fort Wayne; Megan Grubbs of Indianapolis, and his great-grandchildren Myla and Jace Avilla. Fred is also survived by nine siblings; David (Gaye) Merz, Edward (Sue) Merz and Kathy (Todd) Spade, all of Fort Wayne; Barbara (Frank) McGowan of Appling GA, John Merz of San Diego CA, Marcia Indrecc of Colorado Springs CO, Laura (Joe) Munday of Springfield OH, Michael (Karen) Leiter of Palm Bay FL and Julie (Dave) Rietdorf of Zanesville IN. In addition to his parents and his wife Becky, Fred was also preceded in death by a son, Timothy P. Merz; stepfather, Joseph Leiter and sisters, Rebecca Merz and Janet Watson. Mass of Christian Resurrection is 11:00am Friday May 5, 2023, in St. Joseph Catholic Church-Hessen Cassel, 11337 Old US Hwy 27 South. Visitation from 10:00-11:00am in the church. Visitation is also on Thursday, May 4, 2023, from 2-4 and 6-8pm at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave. with the Rosary at 3:30pm. Interment will take place privately in Catholic Cemetery. The family’s preferred memorial is St. Joseph Catholic School-Hessen Cassel. To share a remembrance of Fred or to offer condolences to his family, please visit divinemercyfuneralhome.org.