Maria M. Wertz

Maria M. Wertz, 74, passed away Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013, in Cape Coral. Visitation will be held at Hood Mortuary on Thursday, Jan. 2, from 9 – 9:30 a.m. and a funeral will follow at 10 a.m. Chaplain Earl Caudill will be officiating.
Burial will be at Greenmount Cemetery.
Mrs. Wertz was born August 19, 1939, in Chicago, the daughter of Jacob and Minna Loibl.
She grew up in Chicago and attended her primary education. She married George R. Wertz Dec. 27, 1957. George was on the police force in Chicago and she supported him and raised their family. They moved to Durango in 1972. Together they owned and operated several notable businesses in Durango, including, the Mountain Shadows Best Western Motel, Liquor World and other ventures. She and George semi-retired in the early 1990s though they continued to work. It was at that time they purchased their second home in Matlacha.
Mrs. Wertz was active in the German American Social Club of Cape Coral and the Matlacha Hookers (a benevolent organization and social club). She enjoyed working with her husband and spending time with her family. Shopping was her favorite hobby.
She is survived by her three girls, Shiela Maez of Grand Junction, Colo., Sherry Wertz of Durango and Sandra Cheavens of Houston, Texas; eight grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Joe Loibl of Matlach, and Jake Loibl of Lock Port, Ill.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George, in 1996.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Scleroderma Foundation, 300 Rosewood Drive, Suite 105, Danvers, MA 01923.