Oscar Eugene Mertink

“Hubba Hubba Hubba!” Oscar Eugene Mertink, 82, of Midland, Texas peacefully left us for his heavenly home on Saturday, March 4, 2023.  A visitation will be held Monday, March 13, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home in Midland, Texas.  A second visitation will be held Friday, April 21, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Sullivan’s Funeral Home in Vernon, Texas with services at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. in Harrold, Texas.

Oscar was born on May 31, 1940, in Vernon, Texas to John “Gus” and Ida (Buscha) Mertink. He graduated from Chillicothe High School where he ran track which he sometimes missed due to working in the fields on the family farm.  He learned at an early age what arduous work was. School is where he met his first love, Darlene Mary Brock, whom he married on August 8, 1966, and had two children, Amanda Francine Mertink and John Allen Mertink.

After graduation, Oscar joined the Army serving during the Vietnam Era and was stationed in Thailand when JFK was assassinated. After receiving an honorable discharge, Oscar began working for Mobil in 1972.  He was a natural born leader and worked his way up to his final position as Offshore Operations Foreman.  Oscar was very devoted to his job and the men he worked with, mentored, and befriended. He retired from Mobil in 1985 while living in Houma, LA which is where he met the second love of his life, Christine Korenik and married on October 29, 1993. They continued their love story for the next 27 years while spending their time traveling to all 50 states and Nova Scotia.

Oscar was a husband, brother, father, grandfather, friend, and so much more. He loved watching live sporting events, which is where he met some lifelong friends. He had an incredible impact on those he befriended and always went above and beyond to lend a helping hand. He was a cattleman, an inventor, a fixer, and a farmer! He was a man of great integrity who never met a stranger, had a nickname for everyone, and had a sense of humor that was second to none.  Including a slew of what he dubbed “Oscarisms.”  An exceptionally talented man.  A “jack of all trades” and master of most!  My life is complete, I thought I’d seen everything, but I’ll be, I am blessed! You Have a Good Day and a Better Night!

Oscar is survived by his sister, Elinora Mitschke of Austin, Elinora’s daughter, Judith and her husband Steve Bryson of Austin, children, Amanda Mertink of Fort Worth, John Mertink and wife Tiffany Mertink of Midland, grandsons John Brock Mertink of Midland, and Jason Navarre and wife Pam Navarre and their two children Uriah and Evie all of Thibodaux, Louisiana, nephew Gary Raschke of Vernon and son Jeffrey Raschke and wife Kelsey Raschke and their two children Caleb and Callie all of Electra, nephew Dennis Raschke and Wife Dee Raschke of Iowa Park and their daughter Angela Baka and husband Daniel Baka and their daughter Olivia Baka all of San Antonio, niece Lisa Singleton and husband Casey Singleton and their daughters Melissa Singleton and Karla Singleton all of Chillicothe.

Oscar was preceded in death by his wife Christine Mertink, parents Gus & Ida Mertink, sister Anna Marie Raschke, brother-in-law, Leon Raschke, brother-in-law, Fred Mitschke and nephew Tony Raschke and nephew Kenny Raschke.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA).

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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