Stephen F. Merz, Jr., 48, of Garyville, LA passed away on February 19, 2022 in the Denver Hospice Inpatient Care Center, Denver, CO after a brief illness.

Stephen was born July 5, 1973 in Pascagoula, MS.

 He is survived by his father, Stephen F. Merz (Kathy) of Smithville; his mother, Glenda Hodges of Garyville, LA; his brother, Lincoln J. Merz (Shelly) of Jacksonville, FL; his daughters, Emily Kennedy (Matthew) of Summerville, SC and Makayla Williamson of Sidney, NE. Also surviving is his Uncle Douglas Merz (Lita) of Virginia Beach, VA; Aunt Nancy Allen (Bob) of Seneca, SC; Uncle Eugene Canzler (Deb) of Waverly, NY; Aunt Linda Holden (Jimmie) of Van Cleave, MS; Uncle Clarence L. Jordan of Irvington, AL and many cousins, loving friends and neighbors in Tennessee and Louisiana.

 Stephen was preceded in death by both sides of his family’s grandparents; his Uncle “Big-Un” Jordan of Moss Point, MS; Aunt Myrtle Taylor of Moss Point, MS; his Uncle Thomas Merz of Beaver Falls, PA; and Aunt Mary Canzler of Gastonia, NC.

 Stephen was a process operator at Shell Oil Refinery in Norco, LA and was a Christian.

 A memorial service will be held at a future date.

 Agape Funeral Service, Littleton, CO, is in charge of the arrangements.

 Smithville Review

(Smithville, Tenn.)

March 2, 2022