Obituary of Joseph Francis Merten

Joseph Merten, 93, former Director, Personal Products, a Division of Johnson & Johnson (J&J)

Joseph Francis Merten, age 93, of Basking Ridge, NJ, passed away in his home on September 24^th, 2023. He was recently predeceased by his beloved wife, Patricia (Pat) Merten.  He is survived by his four children, Jeanne DePodwin (David), LynnAnne Robinson (Boyd), Jay (Mary) and Stephen (Nina), as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Joe was born in Brooklyn, NY to Joseph Francis and Matilda Merten (nee Albrecht) on March 11th, 1930. He graduated from Fordham University, with a BS in accounting.   After college he enlisted in the US Navy, attended Officer Candidate School (OCS), and then posted to NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island as an Electrical Officer. He attained the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade.  Prior to his posting he married the love of his life, Pat, then proceeded to build his young family, left the Navy at the end of the Korean War, and started his successful career with J&J.  His integrity and work ethic impressed his new employer, and his career blossomed.  As the family moved around the northeast US, his family grew along with his career, resulting in four children (Jeanne, Lynn Anne, Joseph (Jay) and Stephen (Steve), and a 33 year career culminating in his appointment as Director of Market and Manpower Development.  His promotion to the Head Office brought the family to the town of Bernardsville, NJ, where he eventually retired, then later moved to sunny Naples FL. His belief of service continued as he became a volunteer for the Naples Hospital and a volunteer in the local school system, reading to underprivileged children.  Pat and Joe returned to NJ to spend time closer to family. 
 

His commitments to his family and his faith were always foremost in his thoughts. 

A funeral Mass will be held at 11am on Tuesday, the 10^th of October at St. James Church of Basking Ridge, 184 S. Finley Ave., Basking Ridge, NJ. Memorial donations can be made, in lieu of flowers, to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY, 10306 (website: t2t.org) or Missionaries of Charity, 168 Sussex Ave., Newark, NJ, 07103 (website: missionariesofcharity.org). For further information, or to leave an online condolence message please visit www.gcfuneralhome.com