Johnny Lee Schertz, age 55, of Colby (formerly of Oakley) died July 7, 2014 at the Logan County Hospital in Oakley. He was born on May 13, 1959 in Flagler, Colorado to Leland Blaine and Bertha (Bittel) Schertz.

Johnny was a farm hand for several area farmers and loved driving combines, tractors, and trucks. He enjoyed being around harvest crews, silage crews, cattle, and farming. Johnny loved telling stories, and being with family and friends. He developed a strong faith in God and with his savior Jesus Christ.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leland (1980) and Bertha (2004). Survivors include many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A memorial mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 12, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Colby by Fr. Dana Clark. There is no visitation. Inurnment will be at the Page City Cemetery in a private service for the family.

The family suggests memorials to the Colby 6th Street AA, Deseret Health and Rehab, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church in care of Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, P.O. Box 221, Oakley 67748.

Obituary by family.

Johnny Lee Schertz was born on May 13, 1959 in Flagler, Colorado. He was the only child of Leland Blaine and Bertha (Bittel) Schertz. He was baptized in Flagler.

They later moved to Taft, California where Leland worked in the oil fields for Mobile Oil.

They moved back to Kansas when Johnny was 10 years old. He was confirmed at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Oakley and graduated from Oakley High School.

Leland was a custom cutter when he came back and they lived in Page City, Kansas.

Johnny was a man of strong opinions and he loved to have someone "just listen".

Leland worked at the Oakley Courthouse and Johnny talked of being with him and helping with the yard work.

Leland worked at Oakley Motors and John Deere. Johnny talked of experiences there. He remembered going on the truck with Lee Collins to deliver or pick up equipment.

His father Leland passed away on December 28, 1980 at the early age of 50. This was a very difficult time for Johnny.

Bertha ran the Annie Oakley Motel and Johnny talked of the people who worked for his mother. He especially remembered Karla George and Raylene Repshire. He talked of times with Marvin Rohn at Cross Country and that Marvin taught him about repairing engines.

Johnny worked for C.J. Hardin, Pioneer Feedlot, and Schippers Farms. Tim Schippers helped him get his CDL which he was so proud of. Tim told us he was a good semi driver. We heard many stories about harvest crews, silage crews, cows and calves and farming. He loved driving combines, tractors, and trucks.

Johnny and his mother entered the nursing home in Colby at the same time.

Bertha passed away on October 2, 2004.

Johnny spoke of his grandparents John and Maye Schertz and his aunts and uncles on the Bittel side. He spent a lot of time with those aunts, uncles, and cousins on their farms. I think they were also instrumental in the development of his strong faith. On this past Memorial Day, we took a trip to some of these farms and up to the St. Peter cemetery and community. He loved talking about those days.

Johnny was part of the 6th Street AA group in Colby. This group was so good to him and he thought so much of them. He spent a few years in the nursing home in Sharon Springs, Kansas and missed this group so much he wanted to get back to Colby to be able to attend meetings. He had in his room the 4 coins that represented the most recent 4 years of sobriety. There were members that picked him up for meetings and visited him often.

He formed many friendships in the nursing home and his roommate Jerry looked out for him. Jerry was very aware of how he suffered in recent months. The wonderful people, who work there, are "angels on earth". It is not possible to thank them enough for all they did for him.

I know there were many others that were so understanding and kind to him. I apologize for omitting them.

Johnny thought a lot of his cousin Steve's grandsons, Fred and Jess Schertz, who are the sons of Scott and Christi Schertz. He often talked about how they were "HIS FAMILY".

On the Schertz side he was preceded in death by his grandparents John and Maye Schertz, father and mother Leland and Bertha Schertz, and his Uncle Tim Schertz.

He is survived by Uncle Bob and Aunt Glenda Schertz Myers of Scottsdale, AZ. Cousins on the Schertz side are Pattie Ptak of Sherman Oaks, CA, Jim Myers of Gilbert, AZ, and Kim Schertz of Phoenix, AZ.

On the Bittel side he was preceded in death by grandparents Anton and Katherine (Katie) Bittel, Aunt Marietta Younger, Aunt Viola Michel, Uncle Wilbur Bittel, Aunt Ruth VonLintel, Uncle Elmer Bittel, cousin Lance Bittel, and cousin Sam VonLintel.

He is survived by his Uncle Lowell and Aunt Cora Flora of Quinter, KS, Uncle Charles and Aunt Pat Bittel of Blue Springs, MO, and Godchildren Dwight Tummons and Rachel Jacobs. Surviving cousins are Bob Michel, Janet Reinbolt, Gary Younger, Gayleen Bernal, Coleen Tummons, Mickie Mason, Jim Bittel, Alan VonLintel, Dale VonLintel, Eva Junk, Kevin Bittel, Toni Hotzel, and Michael Bittel.

Johnny knew for years that his kidneys were damaged and told us that he absolutely did not want dialysis. It was a brave decision that he stood by -- to the end.

Johnny was very confident in his faith in Jesus Christ. He so appreciated Fr. Dana and the people from Sacred Heart Church who visited him, brought communion to him and prayed the rosary with him. He chose to have his funeral in Colby. For the last year, he frequently stated that he was ready to die. A few days before his death, he thanked his care provider "Carl" for caring for him. He said "I will see you in heaven". He was a unique child of God.

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