Patricia M. Butler Merz (nee Melia), age 78, passed away the evening of August 14, 2021 after her brave four-year fight with cancer was ended by the COVID-19 virus. She is survived by her husband, Michael Merz; daughter Lisa Butler (Datha Harrison), son William Butler (Mindy), step-daughters Sara Merz (Danielle Froelicher) and Christy Merz, and grandchildren Bailey and Will Butler, Claire and Emma Harrison, Grace Merz-Johnston and Greenlee Merz-Brown. She is also survived by four siblings and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Pat was born in Cincinnati to John and Beatrice Melia, where she was the oldest of six siblings (Sharlene, Eileen, Debbie, John (now deceased) and Dennis). The family moved to New Jersey when she was a student at Regina High School, but Pat soon returned to Cincinnati to marry first husband Jim Butler. She readily embraced the challenges of being a military officers wife, moving to posts in Oklahoma and North Carolina, and raising two young children alone stateside while her husband served two tours of duty in Viet Nam.
The family settled in Anderson Township in 1972. Pat loved being a mother and excelled in that role, enthusiastically volunteering as room mother, PTA board member, fundraiser, intramural coach and many other positions. She was Lisa and Bills most ardent cheerleader and steadfast supporter throughout childhood and beyond.
Pat met Mike Merz through the Guardian Angels Divorce Support Group in 1988 and their long and loving marriage began on July 4, 1991. Along with Mike, Pat enjoyed traveling, cooking, camping, crocheting, and spending time with friends and family. An accomplished cook and gracious hostess, she was at her happiest when their home was full of family and friends. She was beyond excited to become a grandmother and adored every one of her grandchildren.
Her love of serving others and her people skills helped fuel her success in various vocations, including as a retail store manager, orthodontic assistant, office manager, and receptionist. Without a doubt, her most rewarding and important role was nannying and babysitting her grandchildren when they were young, as her legacy of love, kindness, and service to others lives on through them today.
Pat was a woman of deep faith and a long-time member of IHM church, where she took on numerous volunteer roles, including Eucharistic Ministry, CRHP Team, Marriage Preparation Team, Bereavement Ministry, Altar Linen Group, and Church Festival Volunteer.
Pat was a gentle soul with an inner strength and positive attitude that never quit. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by so many.
Private Visitation and Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. The funeral mass will be livestreamed at www.church.ihom.org, beginning at 10:00 AM on Friday, September 3. A Celebration of Pat's Life will be held at a later date when it is safe for a larger group to gather. If desired, memorials can be sent to National Veterans Memorial & Museum (Nationalvmm.org/donate), or Our Lady of the Mountains, Box 727, Stanton, KY 40380.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Patricia M. Butler Merz, please visit our flower store.
Pat was born in Cincinnati to John and Beatrice Melia, where she was the oldest of six siblings (Sharlene, Eileen, Debbie, John (now deceased) and Dennis). The family moved to New Jersey when she was a student at Regina High School, but Pat soon returned to Cincinnati to marry first husband Jim Butler. She readily embraced the challenges of being a military officers wife, moving to posts in Oklahoma and North Carolina, and raising two young children alone stateside while her husband served two tours of duty in Viet Nam.
The family settled in Anderson Township in 1972. Pat loved being a mother and excelled in that role, enthusiastically volunteering as room mother, PTA board member, fundraiser, intramural coach and many other positions. She was Lisa and Bills most ardent cheerleader and steadfast supporter throughout childhood and beyond.
Pat met Mike Merz through the Guardian Angels Divorce Support Group in 1988 and their long and loving marriage began on July 4, 1991. Along with Mike, Pat enjoyed traveling, cooking, camping, crocheting, and spending time with friends and family. An accomplished cook and gracious hostess, she was at her happiest when their home was full of family and friends. She was beyond excited to become a grandmother and adored every one of her grandchildren.
Her love of serving others and her people skills helped fuel her success in various vocations, including as a retail store manager, orthodontic assistant, office manager, and receptionist. Without a doubt, her most rewarding and important role was nannying and babysitting her grandchildren when they were young, as her legacy of love, kindness, and service to others lives on through them today.
Pat was a woman of deep faith and a long-time member of IHM church, where she took on numerous volunteer roles, including Eucharistic Ministry, CRHP Team, Marriage Preparation Team, Bereavement Ministry, Altar Linen Group, and Church Festival Volunteer.
Pat was a gentle soul with an inner strength and positive attitude that never quit. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by so many.
Private Visitation and Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. The funeral mass will be livestreamed at www.church.ihom.org, beginning at 10:00 AM on Friday, September 3. A Celebration of Pat's Life will be held at a later date when it is safe for a larger group to gather. If desired, memorials can be sent to National Veterans Memorial & Museum (Nationalvmm.org/donate), or Our Lady of the Mountains, Box 727, Stanton, KY 40380.
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