Jim Spencer “Sandy” Mertz, age 68, a resident of rural Ft. Scott, Kansas passed away Monday, March 15, 2021, at the Via Christi Emergency Room in Ft. Scott. He was born August 20, 1952, in Ft. Scott, the son of Jim I. Mertz and Maybelle L. Spencer Mertz. Sandy graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1971. He had served with the Kansas Army National Guard.

Sandy was a cattleman and maintained his own cow/calf operation and also owned his own lime hauling company. In addition, he also kept a sizeable heard of donkeys. Sandy was always willing to help others and volunteered his time for several area organizations including the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta, the Cato Historical Preservation Association and the Bourbon County Fair Association. Sandy often sponsored youth softball and baseball teams. He liked watching the Food Network and enjoyed recreating the cuisine. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church. 

Survivors include his mother, Maybelle Mertz, of Ft. Scott; his sister, Melessa Demo and husband, Brad, of Kansas City, Missouri, a nephew, Jim “J.T.” Symons and wife, Angie, a niece, Mandy Symons and a great-nephew, Hunter Symons. Also surviving are extended family, Richard and Deanna Cullison and Sydney Cullison who have helped and cared for Sandy in innumerable ways. Sandy was preceded in death by his father, Jim Mertz. 

Rev. Steve Cole will conduct funeral services at 11:00 A.M Friday, March 19th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friendsfrom5 to 7 P.M. Thursday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Cato HPA and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook atcheneywitt.com.