Stephen Edward Mertens, 57, of Wardsville, died Tuesday, February 7, 2006, at Capital Region Medical Center. He was born on Aug. 29, 1948, in Jefferson City, the son of Edward Theodore and Dorothy Catherine Rackers Mertens. A 1967 graduate of Fatima High School, Mr. Mertens was a lifelong farmer in the Wardsville area and maintained the family farm which has been in the family for three generations. He was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Wardsville. Survivors include one brother and two sisters-in-law, Tom L. and Della Mertens, San Diego, CA; and Joyce K. Mertens, Jefferson City; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Mary Sue Mertens, St. Louis, MO; Joyce A. and Jim Cregger, Jefferson City; and Christy M. and Randy Muenks, Bonnots Mill, MO; four nieces, Darla Holthaus, Waterloo, IA; Sarah Muenks, Jefferson City; Rachel Muenks, Kirksville, MO; and Rebecca Muenks, Columbia, MO; and three nephews, Jon Cregger and Joe Cregger, both of Jefferson City; and Adam Muenks, Bonnots Mill, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Robert J. Mertens and Joseph P. Mertens. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 10, 2006, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Wardsville, with the Rev. Gregory C. Meystrik officiating. Interment will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9th, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home, Jefferson City, with a prayer service at 4 p.m. Additional visitation will be 10-11 a.m. Friday at the church. Memorials are suggested to St. Stanislaus Education Foundation, 6410 Route W, Jefferson City, MO 65101. Those wishing to email condolences or tributes to the family may do so at www.dulletrimble.com.