Bradley David Mertens

Brad Mertens of Elizabethtown died on January 28, 2022 at home. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Otto and Dorsa Mertens; two brothers, Gerald Mertens and Robert Mertens. Survivors are his wife of 61 years LaVeda Pence Mertens. A daughter Tara Mertens and a granddaughter Nicole and her husband Eric Rosenblatt. Four Great-grandchildren; Lyla his little caregiver; Hazel and Welles his entertainers and Teddy who is just cuddly young. His sister Nancy Robert and many nieces and nephews. Special in-laws Arnold and Joyce Pence; Gene and Florence Whobrey and Jan Mertens. He will miss his dear Mall Walking friends, Farrel and Virginia McGuffin and Sam and Jean Davis who checked on him often and John Borgogni our adopted family friend. Brad was on the ground floor of revitalization of the State Theater and later served on the board. He served as president of retired teachers. He reported on and over saw the care of the One Room School at Freeman Lake. He developed HCE-TV along with his students into a very successful program which included Whiz Kids and other student related competitions. HCE-TV filmed and edited many tapes for the State Department. He was a KY Colonel. In the 70s Brad had a chorus that was heard and invited on a European tour which was the highlight of his music career. He along with the students developed a church service that was performed in many, many churches to raise money for the trip. The highlight of the tour was an individual group performance in the Vatican and a performance in Notre Dame. Also in the 70s his very talented singers cut an album. As word got out about his ailing health he started receiving e-mails, text and phone calls from those students and from the students here locally who performed musicals and made lots of TV programs. He was blessed to share those memories and to know he made a difference in their lives. Brad also chose how his end of life would be and not wanting to add to the Covid-19 contagion requested we have a private family remembrance. He just simply said, I want all my students, friends and family to remember me,as you knew me. Condolences may be expressed at brownfuneral.com.

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