Joseph R. "Joe" Wertz

Joseph R. "Joe" Wertz, age 89 of Hamilton, passed away at Fort Hamilton Hospital on Friday, May 18, 2007 at 11:01 AM. He was born in Hamilton on April 3, 1918 the son of George and Georgia (Sherlock) Wertz. Joe was 1937 graduate of Hamilton Catholic High School, veteran of World War II with the United States Navy from 1943-1946, a member of the BPOE #93, K of C #968, the Hamilton Professional Firefighters #20, International Association of Firefighters, Senior Citizen’s Golf League, and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He was a fireman and fire inspector for the city of Hamilton Fire Department for 32 years, retiring in 1980. On February 2, 1944 in Hamilton he was married to Arlita Endsley.

He is survived by his wife, Arlita Wertz of Hamilton; three daughters, Jennifer (Thomas) Donovan of St. Louis, Missouri, Winny (Dale) McQueen of Upland, Indiana, and Pamela (Daniel) Payne of Cincinnati; five grandchildren, Brian Donovan, Kevin (Debbie) Donovan, Beth (Brian) Adkins, Kathryn Payne and Michael Payne; and two great-grandchildren, Connor and Riley. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Mary Cozad.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial in Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 10:00 AM with Father Larry Tharp, Celebrant. There will be no visitation. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family at a later date in St. Mary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials to charity of donor’s choice.