Donald Merta, 78 of Swisher, died unexpectedly Friday, March 2, 2007 at Mercy Medical Center due to complications from pneumonia.  Funeral Services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 5, 2007 at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids with Rev. William Harnish presiding.  Burial will follow in Blain Cemetery, Swisher.  Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday and for an hour prior to services Monday at the chapel.

Donald was born June 23, 1928 the son of Jerry Sr. and Josephine Dostal Merta.  He married Maxine (Becicka) Merta on August 21, 1951 in Cedar Rapids.  He served in the U.S. Navy.  Donald enjoyed baking kolaches for his family and friends, fishing, gambling, and watching Nascar.  He enjoyed traveling and spent many winters in Texas.  You could find him spending afternoons at the Swisher American Legion, surrounded by his many friends.

Donald is survived by his children, Linda (Darrell) Gear of Swisher, Barbara Ellwood of Omaha, NE, Randy (Lynnette) Merta, of Walford, LuAnn (Steve) Jordan of Cedar Rapids; Susie (Bary) Bral of Marengo; Jeanette Merta of Cedar Rapids, and Penny Merta of Firestone, CO; 21 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren; brothers Jerry Merta and Marvin Merta; and sisters Darlene Trachta, Dorothy Vavricek, DeAnn Sundberg, and Delores Phillippee.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry Sr. and Josephine (Dostal) Merta, his wife Maxine Merta on January 3, 2003, his granddaughter Aaron, his great granddaughter Hailey, and his brothers Richard, Kenneth, Eldon, and Bobby.

Memorials may be directed to the family.