Joseph J. Merten
June 16, 1959 – August 2, 2025
Joseph James Merten (Joe or Joey), 66, son of Herman and Rose (Lisko) Merten was born June 16, 1959, in Omaha, Nebraska, and passed away peacefully on August 2, 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Tom Merten. He is survived by his brother, Mike Merten; sister-in-law, Ila Rae (Tom) Merten; sisters: Joan (Dean) Vogel, Margaret (Kenny) Sailors, Kathy (Tommy) Doran and Mary Merten / Brian Penttila; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Joe grew up in Omaha and attended St. Adalbert’s Elementary School and then South High School, graduating in 1977. He was affectionately called Dumpster Joe by many, as he ran a successful dumpster business for years. He loved to help his neighbors and friends, often providing a helping hand without them asking. In recent years, he enjoyed gardening and canning and would often surprise friends with a batch of well-cared-for vegetables.
Joe had a passion for sports and especially hockey. He grew up skating on the ponds at Hanscom and Columbus Parks and then officially started in the Pee Wee League in the Omaha Metropolitan Amateur Hockey Association (O.M.A.H.A.). He went on to attend camps in Minnesota to further advance his hockey skills, and subsequently played in Omaha amateur leagues for decades. Joe had dozens of fans who enjoyed watching him play at Aksarben Ice Rink and Hitchcock Park. Just two days before leaving us, he scored his final goal in a pickup game at Grover Ice Rink.
He had a contagious zest for life and loved to share stories and a laugh. He was the quintessential athlete/construction worker, maintaining an amazing amount of strength and fitness until the very end. Joe worked hard and played hard and was a big man with a big heart.
His legacy lives on as an organ donor where matches were found for his kidneys, liver, eyes and tissues. His penchant for helping others will continue for years to come.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Friday, August 22, 2025, at 10:30AM, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 2110 South 32nd Avenue, Omaha, 68105.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to support youth hockey, Joe’s favorite sport.
Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler, West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha, Ne 68124. (402)-391-3900. www.heafeyheafey.com
24 Comments
Rest Brother Joe.
You worked hard.
God knows this.
Glad to have been able to hang out sometimes.
Love ya man!
My condolences to the family..
Condolences and sympathies and prayers to all of the family of Joseph J Merten from all of the Drawl family Ronald and Kathleen Drawl
My thoughts and prayers are with the Merten family during this time. Joe was a great guy who always had a big smile and hug for you! He’ll be greatly missed.
Joe was one of a kind! I will miss his weekly honking and waving! My heart goes out to all his loved ones.
I’ve never met a guy who loved his neighborhood and neighbors more than (Dumpster) Joe! Without question he helped anyone in our neighborhood that needed it. When we moved here 17+ years ago he pulled us aside and spent a lot of time telling us how magical The Boulevard was. He lived to help all of us in this neighborhood. He will be missed!!
We would like to send our heartfelt wishes to the family… at the beginning of August of this year was the last time I got to see Joe as we were standing by an encouraging friend… We joined hands and said the our father. In completion, when I looked at him to say goodbye, he had a beautiful smile on his face. He will surely be missed by those that New and loved him. Rest in peace, my friend.
RIP Joe. Joe was a great guy who was a teammate, or opponent for many, many years in the Senior Amateur Leagues in Omaha and many pick up games as well. Joe always had a smile on his face, even when he was mad. The hockey community will miss him dearly.
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Every time I saw Joe, he would talk about how wonderful my mother was. That always made my day. I feel fortunate to have had some fun times with Joe recently at the G I Forum and the live horse races. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Merten family.. Joe was such a great guy and he will be missed.
You bailed me out many times Dumpster Joe it was pleasure all those years an all the laughs an cold ones shared RIP
Deepest condolences to Joe’s family and many friends. Joe was one of a kind and always there to lend support or a hand. He had a great smile and laugh and will be missed by so many. Rest my hard working friend.
Rest In Peace Joey. What a great guy. You’ll truly be missed my friend.
Sorry to hear of the passing of Joe, thoughts and prayers to Merten family.
RIP Joe you always had a heart of gold and would help anyone.You always had a high five every time I seen you at dinkers.
Sending my thoughts to the Merten family. I hope your brother lives on in all the family stories.
Condolences to Joes family and friends. I was classmates with Joe at St Adalberts and played hockey with and against him for many years. We had a common passion and gusto for the sport and worked hard at being good at it, but at the same time having a lot of fun. We played at Hanscom and throughout the progression of the age leagues. I moved away from Nebraska after graduating from NU but my brother Steve continued to play into his adullt years and we would talk about Joe from time to time.Rest in Peace old friend. Loved playing with you in our days of youth!
Joe, we will miss you good friend! Thanks for all the memories, laughs , beers, stories and help along the way. You were always like a brother and you will live on in our hearts. You were one of the great neighborhood people of south O. Til we meet again …… With love. the Hazelnuts.
Joe, thanks so much for all you did for my family, especially my brother Jim. You cut his grass every week, and did so much more for him when he had to move next door to your apartment as his house was being rebuilt. Friends like you come once in a lifetime and I’m glad it was our lifetime that God shared you with us. Rest in Peace Joe
Joe, I’m gonna miss your contagious smile ! As you drove by my house always stopping to talk or say , you missed a spot ( as I would be weeding ) then kiss my hand or that bear hug ending with See ya beautiful lady ! All the music we played at The Pocket on the jukebox and sing our hearts out .You on my roof blowing the leaves out of my gutter !! Thank you Joe for your kind heart , your laughs and your friendship with our family . We all will miss you. Watch over us from Heaven. Rest In Eternal Peace Joe . 🙏🌹
I’m just heartbroken.ive known joe for fifty years. Not going to be the same without him.
Joe was a fantastic man. He helped my siblings and I with services while cleaning out my mother’s house after she had passed. He made the process very easy for us and went out of his way to lend a helping hand. He was an incredibly kind man and he will be missed.
My condolences to his family and friends
Brother Joe you will be greatly missed. We’ll be getting the band back together in heaven. Rest In Peace
Joe was one of a kind. Always there with a smile and a helping hand. Our son played Hockey and he followed his career and was always there with encouraging words for him. He even gave our son odd jobs to do for him for a summer when he came home. The Sports Center tune will forever belong to Joe. Rest in peace Joe. See you at the next game.
Rest easy my friend, you’ll be missed by many. You’re loved!
My condolences to his family and friends. I’m so deeply sorry for your loss.
Joe gave me a lot of good advice throughout the years. A couple things he said to me that I’ll never forget are: “Always stand with your feet planted in public in case someone tries to swing on you!” and “No matter what life throws at you, never lose your edge kid!” ……..Rest easy, see ya later on Joe
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