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John Henry Mertins, 80, entered into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Sept. 15, 2024 in Laurel, Montana.
John was born on April 14, 1944 in Saginaw, Michigan. At 14 months old he was adopted by his loving parents, Henry E. and Grace E. (Gibbs) Mertins. They raised him and his adopted sister, Marilyn, in Huntington Woods and Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. John graduated high school from Culver Military Academy in Indiana.
At 24 years old, John enlisted in the United States Army and honorably served in Vietnam as a Social Work Specialist for three years. After the service, he moved to Midland, Michigan. He was involved with the local VFW, which is where he was set up on a blind date and met the love of his life, Lori (Coty). They married on Sept. 4, 1971 and raised three daughters.
John served as a Midland County Deputy Sheriff for 16 years and after moving to Idaho, many years later, retired from the Idaho Correctional Institution in Orofino in 2009.
Shortly after retirement, John and Lori moved to Powell, Wyoming to be closer to grandkids. Lori passed away in January 2021, just shy of their 50th anniversary. Their family has a peace knowing they are now reunited in their forever, heavenly home.
John always had a love of water whether swimming, boating, skiing or fishing. To know him was to know his sense of humor, wit and as a prankster. He loved to make people laugh, even when dealing with so many health issues over the past few years.
John was preceded in death by his wife, Lori; his parents; and brother-in-law, Ralph Johnson. He leaves behind his daughters: Carmen Syed, Jennifer (Joe) Coelho, Leanne (Scott) London; six grandkids: Jon Syed, Zachary and Elyssa Cole, and Mackenzie, Jaighden and Delainey Rayment; four great-grandkids: Brynnlee, River, Oaklyie and Axton; his sister Marilyn (Johnson); nieces Deborah Bauknight and Gail Coakley and nephew Ken Johnson.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at The Heartland Assisted Living for their loving care over the past 18 months.
A memorial service will take place on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 11 a.m. at Powell Church of God, 137 W. Second St., Powell, WY. Pastor Shane Legler officiating.
