Claremont Obituaries

Dr. John Mertens, a longtime Claremont resident, died peacefully on Monday, October 17, surrounded by family. He was 81. John was born in Detroit, Michigan on April 29, 1941, the oldest of two children, to Armand and Marion Mertens. He spent his very happy childhood exploring the neighborhoods of Detroit, often with his best friend of 70 years, Doug Francis. His family moved to California in 1959, and he graduated from Chaffey High School that same year.