Janie Ann Mertz

Janie Ann Fernandez Mertz, our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away on Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at the age of 69 at home in Bartlett, Texas. While we cannot imagine our lives without her, we take great comfort in knowing she is now living peacefully with Our Heavenly Father.

Janie was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on March 22, 1947, the daughter of Florien and Elsie Fernandez. She is oldest of their five children. Janie met James at the Tunnel Restaurant in Belle Chasse, Louisiana. They were married on August 6, 1988. James moved Janie and her children to Bartlett, where they enjoyed 31 years together in love.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Florien John Fernandez, Sr. and Elsie Bealer Fernandez, and by her brother, John Fernandez, Jr.

Janie is survived by her husband James A. Mertz; daughter Melinda Kephart and husband Rudy Kephart; Tammy Vidal and husband Jerry Flores; Beth Vidal; Shelly Mertz and partner Erica Pineda; Stacy Reyna and husband Fernando Reyna; her sister Debbie Morgan and husband Harold “Buster” Morgan; brothers Randy Fernandez and wife Mary Fernandez, Kim Fernandez and wife Laura Fernandez; grandchildren Rose Vidal, Kaci Vidal, Brandon Kephart, Ashley Vidal, Jerry Vidal, Austin Flores, Jimmy Joseph Perez, Megan Lynn Perez, Bryson Andrew Reyna, Analicia Marie Reyna, and Abigail Lynn Reyna, and 4 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 30, 2016 with a Rosary at 7 PM, at Providence Funeral Home Chapel. Celebration of Life Mass will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2016 at 2 PM at Providence Funeral Home Chapel. Burial to follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Granger.