Obituary of Myrtle Wertenberger

Myrtle Smith was born in Toledo on February 9, 1933. She was one of four children born from the union of the late Mervin Smith and the late Marguerite (Taylor) Smith. Myrtle affectionately became known as Lou. She married Norbert Filonczuk on November 12, 1957 being blessed with the birth of a daughter: Debra. Later she married Harry Buchelt and was blessed with a second daughter: Belinda. For many years Lou worked outside the home and for several local employers. She was an operator for Michigan and Ohio Bell, and twenty-two years as the District Manager for the Monroe Evening News before retiring in 1998. Always on the move, she bowled in many leagues over the years, and enjoyed traveling across the country and viewing the Northern Michigan Fall colors. She liked playing cards, bingo at the Knights of Columbus, and had often visited the casinos on her jaunts. A long-time member of Ida Baptist Church she was the oldest living cancer survivor several years and designated the "Queen" at Relay for Life. Lou was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She delighted in creating special meals for her loved ones. She had a passion for crocheting and quilting, and often visited craft shows to acquire new ideas. Myrtle "Lou" Wertenberger, age 82 of Monroe, passed away peacefully at 5:45pm on Monday, September 21, 2015 at Fountainview. In addition to her parents, her passing was preceded by her first husband: Norbert in 1974; her second husband, Harry, in 1967; two brothers: Leon and John Smith; and a brother-in-law: Raymond Kuchinski. To cherish her memory Myrtle leaves two daughters: Debra (Anthony) Keefe of Toledo, and Belinda Buchelt of Romulus; a sister: Margaret Kuchinski of Sylvania; a sister-in-law: Virginia Smith of Ypsilanti; three grandchildren: Kimberly Teeple, Nick Polley, and Alex (Ericka) Filonczuk; and eight great-grandchildren: Kaysci McWatters, Kayla Teeple, Doug Polley, Lucas Polley, Alexia Teeple, Dakota Minton, Cheyenne Martin, and Lennon Gramon. Friends may gather on Friday, September 25 from 11:00am-1:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe Street (734) 384-5185. A Celebration of Her Life will follow at 1:00pm also at Merkle's with Reverend Roy Southerland of Monroe Missionary Baptist Church officiating. Procession will follow to Lulu Cemetery for burial. Memorial donations are suggested to Korean War Veterans, Humane Society, American Cancer Society, or Relay for Life. Online guests may leave words of comfort and inspiration by visiting www.merklefs.com; Online Tributes page.