James A. Mercer

James A. Mercer, 80, of Ravenna, Ohio, formerly from New Philadelphia, Ohio, passed away on September 6, 2024, at Altercare Post Acute Rehabilitation Center in Brimfield, Ohio.  He was born January 22, 1944, in Dover, Ohio to the late Henry O and Marie S (Steele) Mercer. Jim was preceded in death by his first wife of 50 years, JoAnn (Brechbiel) Mercer of Dover in 2017, a brother, Danny Mercer, and his sister Becky (Mercer) Plumhoff. Jim was a graduate of New Philadelphia High School, class of 1962. He was a lifelong member of St. John's United Church of Christ in Dover.  He served in many capacities in the church.  He sang in the choir, served as a  Deacon, was a council member, and council president. Jim was among the first students to take classes at what is now Kent State Tuscarawas. He earned a BS Degree in Business Administration from Kent State after 16 years of taking classes, while working and raising a family. Jim worked at Marlite for 30 years, delivered food for Walnut Creek Foods,  worked at Midas Muffler in New Philadelphia, delivered car parts for Advance Auto, delivered paint for Sherwin Williams, worked at the Senior Center in Dover, served as a Goshen Township Trustee, volunteered delivering Mobile Meals, was a Boy Scout assistant scoutmaster, a substitute teacher, and a lover of dogs. He gave many dogs a loving home during his lifetime, including his surviving dog, Suzie, his trusty party poodle companion. Jim has also been a lifetime member of the Elks. He is survived by his wife of 5 years, Rebecca Byler-Mercer; sons, Scott (Song Pun) Mercer of Fremont CA,  Sean Mercer of Kent Ohio, and  Patrick (Kelly) Mercer of Salem, Ohio, granddaughters, Eleanor Mercer, Leah Mercer and Olivia Mercer.  He  is also survived by his brother, Jerry (Carol) Mercer of Manchester MD, his sisters, Sara Mercer-Sells of Dover OH, and Kathy Irwin of New Philadelphia. Also surviving are 6 step-children, 9 step-grandchildren and 4 step-great grandchildren. Calling hours will be from 1 PM until the time of the funeral service at 2 PM Sunday, September 15, 2024, at Shorts Spicer Crislip Funeral Home,141 N. Meridian Street in Ravenna, Ohio with Pastor David Haydu officiating.  Cremation will follow the service.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lake Brady UMC, 1995 Brady Lake Rd., Kent Ohio, 44240, St. John's UCC, 409 N. Wooster Ave. Dover, Ohio 44622, or Portage County APL, PO Box 927, Ravenna, Ohio, 44266.