Dave MercerDave Mercer
Dave Mercer, 71, of Ft. Branch, Ind., formerly of Vermont, died Nov. 13, 2008, at home.
He was born June 17, 1937, in Galesburg, a son of C.C. and Katherine Whitney Mercer. He married Elizabeth Ann Phipps in April 1967, in Fairview. She survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Ara Beth (and Theron) Nelson-Mercer of Kokomo, Ind., and Julia Ann (and Terry) Glover of Boswell, Ind.; one son, Daniel Dave (and Jana) Mercer of Ft. Branch, Ind.; one sister, Martha Jane (and Fred) Miller of Vermont; one brother, Whitney Mercer of Vermont; and seven grandchildren.
He was a U.S. Army veteran from 1960-62 stationed in Ft. Hauchuca, Ariz.
He was a 1954 graduate of Vermont High School and received his bachelors degree with an agriculture major and biology minor from Western Illinois University in Macomb in 1959.
He farmed in the Vermont area for many years. In 1974, he went to work for the AMAX Coal Co., Sunspot Mine as an electrician. When that mine closed, he transferred to Wabash Underground Mine at Keensburg, retiring in 1996. He was a Master Gardener.
He was a member of Vermont State Bank of Directors since 1978; and Ft. Branch Indianapolis Optimist Club since 1984, having served as president, secretary and treasurer.
Services were held Tuesday at Vermont Christian Church with Tim Gilliland officiating. Burial was in Vermont Cemetery. Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria was in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church in Ft. Branch, Ind., Vermont Christian Church or to Deaconess Hospice.