Charles A. Mertala of Casper

CASPER - Casper resident Charles A. Mertala, 81, died March 4, 2005, after a short illness.

Cremation has taken place and private memorial services and scattering of ashes will be held in the spring.

Born Sept. 27, 1923, in Hanna, he was the son of Johanna (Luoma) and Sander Mertala; and completed his education in Rawlins.

He then went to Pasadena, Calif., and entered the Pasadena Playhouse School of Drama.

In 1942, he joined the U.S. Army and was assigned to the Signal Corps, where he coded and decoded messages. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

After returning to Pasadena and the playhouse, he also worked for Con-Edison Electrical Co. for 37 years. He moved back to Wyoming in 1980 and lived in Ten Sleep until 2002.

He spent the last 2.5 years living with his brother, Edwin Johnson, in Casper.

In addition to his brother, survivors include his sister, Norma Crowe of Worland; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Edna (Mertala) Johanson; two nephews; and a niece.

Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.


Courtesy of Casper Star Tribune - Trib.com