Obituaries

Albert Edward ( Ed) Mertes, 81, of Saint Louis, Missouri, passed away on the evening of November 14, 2024 after a battle with prostate cancer. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Ed is survived by his wife, Yvonne, his children Cindy (Robert) and Lori, and his grandchildren, Joseph and Samantha.

Ed had a strong love of travel and nature. As a young man he often spent time kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving and spelunking. He joined the Air Force in June of 1964 where he became a computer programmer. He continued in that field after his discharge working for the Department of the Army in St. Louis. He met his wife, Yvonne, in September of 1970 at a Coast Guard party, and they were married in January of 1975.

Ed and Yvonne spent the first several years of their marriage traveling including trips to the Cayman Islands, Virgin Islands and Grand Bahamas. It was a personal goal of his to visit all 50 states and their capitals. This goal was completed in June of 2006 with a trip to Alaska.

Ed had a love of train travel and went on his first trip with a local train group, the American Association of Railroaders, in November of 1975. This sparked a lifelong love of train travel. He spent his free time volunteering with train related activities including the Chain of Rocks Railroad. Some of his favorite train trips included traveling across Canada and to the Copper Canyon in Mexico.

Ed also took many road trips including annual trips to Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri which occurred for over 50 years.

He will be laid to rest on November 22 at a small ceremony at Bellefontaine Cemetery surrounded by family.

Please no flowers.

Donations can be made in his name through the Prostate Cancer Foundation:

https://cure.pcf.org/site/Donation2?2441.donation=form1&df_id=2441&mfc_pref=T&utm_source=HRC&utm_medium=HRCmenu