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Oscar Eugene Mertink

“Hubba Hubba Hubba!” Oscar Eugene Mertink, 82,
of Midland, Texas peacefully left us for his heavenly
home on Saturday, March 4, 2023. A visitation was
held Monday, March 13, 2023, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home in Midland,
Texas. A second visitation will be held Friday, April
21, 2023, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Sullivan’s Funeral
Home in Vernon, Texas with services at Immanuel
Lutheran Church on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at 11
a.m. in Harrold, Texas.
Oscar was born on May 31, 1940, in Vernon,
Texas to John “Gus” and Ida (Buscha) Mertink. He
graduated from Chillicothe High School where he ran
track which he sometimes missed due to working in
the 􀂿 elds on the family farm. He learned at an early
age what arduous work was. School is where he met
his 􀂿 rst love, Darlene Mary Brock, whom he married on Aug. 8, 1966, and had
two children, Amanda Francine Mertink and John Allen Mertink.
After graduation, Oscar joined the Army serving during the Vietnam Era
and was stationed in Thailand when JFK was assassinated. After receiving an
honorable discharge, Oscar began working for Mobil in 1972. He was a natural
born leader and worked his way up to his 􀂿 nal position as O􀵵 shore Operations
Foreman.
Oscar was very devoted to his job and the men he worked with, mentored, and
befriended. He retired from Mobil in 1985 while living in Houma, La., which is
where he met the second love of his life, Christine Korenik and married on Oct
29, 1993. They continued their love story for the next 27 years while spending
their time traveling to all 50 states and Nova Scotia.
Oscar was a husband, brother, father, grandfather, friend, and so much more. He
loved watching live sporting events, which is where he met some lifelong friends.
He had an incredible impact on those he befriended and always went above and
beyond to lend a helping hand. He was a cattleman, an inventor, a 􀂿 xer, and a
farmer!
He was a man of great integrity who never met a stranger, had a nickname for
everyone, and had a sense of humor that was second to none. Including a slew
of what he dubbed “Oscarisms.” An exceptionally talented man. A “jack of all
trades” and master of most! My life is complete, I thought I’d seen everything,
but I’ll be, I am blessed! You Have a Good Day and a Better Night!
Oscar is survived by his sister, Eleanor Mitschke of Austin, children, Amanda
Mertink of Fort Worth, John Mertink and wife Ti􀵵 any Mertink of Midland,
grandsons John Brock Mertink of Midland, and Jason Navarre and wife Pam
Navarre and their two children Uriah and Evie all of Thibodaux, Louisiana,
nephew Gary Raschke of Vernon and son Je􀵵 rey Raschke and wife Kelsey
Raschke and their two children Caleb and Callie all of Electra, nephew Dennis
Raschke and wife Dee Raschke of Iowa Park and their daughter Angela Baka
and husband Daniel Baka and their daughter Olivia Baka all of San Antonio,
niece Lisa Singleton and husband Casey Singleton and their daughters Melissa
Singleton and Carla Singleton, all of Chillicothe.
Oscar was preceded in death by his wife Christine Mertink, parents Gus and Ida
Mertink, sister Anna Marie Raschke, brother-in-law, Leon Raschke, brother-inlaw,
Fred Mitschke and nephew Tony Raschke and nephew Kenney Raschke.
In lieu of 􀃀 owers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to
Vietnam Veterans of American (VVA).Arrangements are under the direction of
Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home of Midland. Online condolences may be
made at www.npwelch.com.

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