Fr. Robert J. Merth dies at age 84

Fr. Robert J. Merth, age 84, died on Monday, October 27, 2003.

The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Thursday, October 30, 2003 at the Church of the Assumption in Eden Valley, with burial at Calvary Cemetery, St. Paul.

A Memorial Mass is scheduled for Thursday, November 6 at 3:00 p.m. at the Church of the Holy Childhood, St. Paul.

Father Merth was born March 18, 1919, in St. Paul, MN. He studied philosophy and theology at the St. Paul Seminary and was ordained to the priesthood on October 7, 1944, at the St. Paul Cathedral, by Archbishop John Gregory Murray.

He served as Associate Pastor at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in St. Paul, St. Raphael in Springfield, and St. Agnes in St. Paul and as Pastor of St. Gregory in Lafayette. Father Merth entered the Diocese of New Ulm on November 18, 1957 and served as Pastor at St. John in Searles, Our Lady in Spicer, St. Anthony in Regal, Our Lady in Manannah, St. Gertrude in Forest City and St. Peter in Eden Valley.

Father Merth retired from active ministry on June 30, 1990, and had been living in the St. Paul area since retirement.