60, of Highlands, Texas, died on Sunday, February 15, 2015, at East Houston Regional Hospital in Houston, Texas. A service of remembrance will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2015 at 1:00P.M. at Old Kinkler Cemetery in Hallettsville, Texas. A native of Baytown, Texas, he had lived in Highland, Texas, most of his life and was a self employed painter. He was preceded in death by his father, Edmund Otto Mertz brothers, Jay Anthony Mertz, and Larry Edmund Mertz and sister, Susan Mertz Holston. Rodney is survived by his mother, Joyce Petty Mertz of Highlads, Texas. and sister, Deaann Mertz Joerg of Liberty, Texas.