Merelyn A. Bartz, age 84, a resident of Manitowoc, passed into the Lord Jesus loving hands late Wednesday evening, November 8, 2023 at her residence.

Merelyn was born on February 16, 1939 in Michigan.  She was the daughter of the late Mervil and Meredith Spear.  Merelyn was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she received her bachelor's degree in nursing.  She was the Director of Nurses at the former Memorial Hospital in Manitowoc and later became employed as a Registered Nurse at the Manitowoc Health and Rehabilitation Center.  Merelyn was married to Fred Bartz who preceded her in death in 1995.

She is survived her son, Robert (Amy) Bartz, Manitowoc, five grandchildren, River Bartz, Forest (Crystal) Adams, Adam Jasper, Reed Bartz,Erik (Kara) Turner; five great grandchildren, Atlas, Parker, Christian, Grace, and Noell; one sister, Susan (Arthur) Johns, Birmingham, MI, nieces, nephews, along with other relatives and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Mervil and Meredith Spear and husband, Fred Bartz.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 16, 2023 at First German Ev. Lutheran Church, 1033 South 8th Street, Manitowoc.  Officiating will be Rev. Mark Johnston with burial to take place at Evergreen Cemetery, Manitowoc.  Relatives and friends may call at First German Ev. Lutheran Church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m.  A luncheon will be held immediately following the church services at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center, 620 North Water Street, located on the south property of the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Manitowoc Lutheran High School.  Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com

The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.