Andrea "Andie" Lynn (Skaggs) Mertz

Andrea “Andie” Lynn Mertz (Skaggs), 54, Canal Fulton, passed away July 27, 2021, after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer. She was born June 24, 1967 to the late Ruby Davis and David Skaggs, in Muncie, Indiana. As a child, Andie was a bit of a tomboy, cruising around in her little pedal car, and following her parents to their favorite classic car shows and drag races. She was close with her brother, the late David “Davie” Skaggs, who loved to tease her. Andie was a 1985 graduate of Muncie Central High School. Shortly after graduation, she was introduced to Christian Mertz by the three little girls she babysat: Amanda, Amber, and Ashleigh Wyne. They married in 1988, and Chris remained her devoted spouse for the next thirty-two years.
With his job, they moved from their first home in Muncie, first to Lima, Ohio, and then to Canton; finally settling in Canal Fulton, in a home they built together. Their love gave them two children, “the twins,” Jerrod and Katie, who she adored more than anything. She was never happier than when the whole family was together, whether they were at Disney World, the Spencer’s lake house in Southern Indiana, or just around the table at home. While the kids were in high school, she was active with the marching band and football Mother’s Club, and could be seen every Friday night cheering on Jerrod and Katie from the stands at Smilek Stadium.

Together, Chris and Andie enjoyed a few beach vacations together, first to Cancun, then to the Bahamas, and finally to Aruba. When Jerrod, now a Captain in the United States Air Force, received his first assignment in Utah, they were able to drive him cross-country, and visit him later in places like Yellowstone, Moab, the Grand Tetons, and others.

For the last eleven years of her life, she worked as a preschool and pre-K teacher’s aide at Lakeview Christian Church Preschool; a job she could not have been any better suited for. Not only was she able to work beside close friends Dee Gindlesberger and Karen Connor, but she was able to approach each day with the childlike joy for life she carried so well. Anyone who knew her knew her laugh, and those kids kept her in stitches.

Andie is survived by her spouse, Chris; her two children: Jerrod (Carmen) Mertz and Katie (Nick) Mertz; three step-grandchildren: Tori, Matthew, and Levi; four aunts: Ruth (Donnie) Hyslip, Jeanne Chapman, Laura Gorman, and Brenda (Kenny) Skaggs; cousins Jen and Karin Schweitzer; Mother-in-law Viola Jane (Jack) Spencer; sisters-in-law Diane (Mike) Watkins and Debbie (Bill) Ettinger; nephews Spencer (Shelley) Watkins, Lee (Lauren) Watkins, and Clint Ettinger; as well as countless friends and neighbors, including childhood friend Denise (Bobby) Burks Norris, Judi (James) Snyder, Pat (Tom) Kusmits, Cindy (Mike) Jones, and Stephanie (Greg) Butcher.

A very special thank you to the doctors, nurses, medical technicians, and first responders that treated her, and allowed her the opportunity to continue doing what she loved.

A Memorial Service will be held at 6:00p.m. Friday, August 13, 2021 at Lakeview Christian Church, 4613 South Main Street, Akron, OH 44319 with Pastor Jim Gindlesberger officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lakeview Christian Church Preschool. https://www.lakeviewcc.net/ministries/preschool/

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