Wayne Robert “Pete” Mertell

Wayne Robert “Pete” Mertell, age 90, of Independence, Missouri left the constraints of this world September 12, 2021.  Born October 16, 1930 on the kitchen table of his family home, it was a perfect preceptor to the simple life he would lead.  He attended school through the Kansas City School System and attended William Chrismon High School.  Pete proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from October 18, 1951 to October 8, 1953.  His service was a source of pride and lasting friendships throughout his life.  Pete was a carpenter, mason, and electrician.  He worked with his father on many sites, including Kansas City’s Plaza.  Pete was a poet, storyteller “professional doodler”, and an artist who enjoyed creating pieces of art from unusual sources, such as a portrait of three nudes from our bathroom tile.  He was also a proud elder of the Mic-O Say tribe of the Boy Scouts and attended camp in Osceola, MO each year.  Pete loved good food, good company, and good music.  One of his favorite nights out was enjoying the Blues Sunday at Christine’s Firehouse of North Kansas City.  

Pete married twice, which he said “was enough” and had seven children from those unions.  Pete leaves behind five surviving children:  Billie Davis Moore of Virginia, Scott Mertell (Jenn), Terri Spears (Andrew), Jennifer Kempf (Charles) of Tennessee, Wayne Robert “Rob” Mertell II (Amy) currently enjoying the life of RV adventures, and daughter-in-law Teri Mertell.  Grandchildren: Brianna, Ali, Miriah, Megan, Hannah, Sean, Michael, Ashleigh, Joshua, Kristi, and James, and their families.  Brothers: Troy (WA), David (MO), and sister Treva (AZ), and their families, and many, many much loved friends.  

Pete was predeceased by his parents, Ildia A. and Sybil E. Mertell, sister Joyce Potts, sister Gladys Shockley, and brother Edward Mertell, first wife Dorothy Gould, and their two sons Michael Wayne and Daniel James Mertell, and second spouse Rita Spangler.

The family will welcome family and friends at Heartland Cremation and Burial Society, 6113 Blue Ridge Boulevard, Raytown, MO 64133, Phone (816) 313-1677 on Saturday, October 2, 2021.  From 10:00-11:00 a.m. is family visitation.  11:00 a.m.-12 p.m. is open visitation and services.  Procession to gravesite with full military honors will begin at noon at Newcomers Floral Hills, Garden of the Apostles, 7000 Blue Ridge Boulevard, Raytown, MO 64133.  Masks are mandatory for all.  Celebrations of Pete’s life will continue after the ceremonies at his favorite haunts, and we will try to join as many of you as we can.  We thank you all for your love and friendship and support of our father through all these years.