Junior Ray Wertz, 94, of Mexico, passed away on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at Pin Oaks Living Center in Mexico.

Graveside services with military honors will be held at East Lawn Memorial Park at a future date.

Mr. Wertz was born on May 31, 1928, in Bennet, Nebraska, the son of Ira Edgar and Bessie Jane (Williams) Wertz.  On September 19, 1955, he married Anna Fay Houchins in Festus.  Fay preceded him in death on October 28, 1990.  On July 22, 1994, he married Rosalie Poindexter Knipp in Mexico.

Junior enjoyed spending time outdoors playing golf and fishing.  He was also talented at telling stories and writing poetry.  He loved cars, especially his 1970 Pontiac Firebird.  Junior spent his working years as a crane operator at A. P. Green Brick Refractory.  He proudly served his country in the Korean war.  In his later years, he and Rosalie would travel to various military reunions.

Survivors include his wife, Rosalie Wertz of Mexico; three daughters, Glenda Rae Byram of Juneau, AK, Janet (Jack) Lynn Holtman of Montgomery City and Kimberly (Ben) Ann Santos of Keller, TX; two step-children, Jennifer Maddox (Charlie Raynor) of Mexico and Jay Scott Knipp (Dawn Baker) of New Florence; five grandchildren, Ben (Mary) Santos, Lauren (Mark) Smith, Elizabeth Holtman, John Beckley Holtman and Traci Byram; two step-grandchildren, Deirdre Knipp of Mexico and Caitlyn Maddox of Mexico; one brother, Clifford Jones of Raytown; one brother-in-law, Glenn Houchins of New London; five great-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren, Evelynne Knipp, Harlin Rigg and Lilliann Rigg.

Junior was preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Bessie Wertz; his first wife, Anna Fay Wertz; and two step-daughters, Nancy Surls and Julie Susanne.