Wilma E. Mercer

HOLTON Wilma E. Mercer, 96, of Holton, passed away Sunday morning, July 3, 2005, at Jackson County Nursing Home. She was born July 8, 1908, in Circleville, the daughter of James M. and Beulah A. Heaton Horner. She spent her early life in Circleville, attended Circleville schools and graduated from Circleville High School in 1926. Following graduation, Wilma taught school for one year at Winding Vale School west of Holton. In 1928, she went to Topeka where she received her business education. She was then employed at the Santa Fe Office in Topeka for four and one half years. Wilma married Wendell L. Mercer on Oct. 28, 1933, at Lowman Methodist Church in Topeka. Together they established Mercer Funeral Home in Holton in 1934 which they owned and operated until Wendells death on Feb. 20, 1976. Wilma had been a licensed funeral director since 1941. Wilmas concern for people kept her associated in the business with her son and her grandsons for more than 20 more years. As a child, Wilma attended and joined the Methodist Church in Circleville. Upon moving to Holton, she transferred her membership to the Evangel United Methodist Church in Holton. She was a long-time member of the Crusader Sunday School Class and the Aletha Faust Circle. She served on the Board of the Holton Cemetery Association for a number of years. She was a life member of the Jackson County Historical Society, member of Qui Vive, Holton Business Women, Order of Eastern Star Columbia Chapter No. 152, charter member of Pilot Club, All Star Club and Holton Arts Agency, Survivors include a daughter, Barbara Bowser and her husband Larry of Oskaloosa; a son, W. Bill Mercer and his wife, Quinn of Ennis, Mon.; a granddaughter, Julie McGinnis, Oskaloosa; three grandsons, Eric Bowser, Oskaloosa, and Bill Mercer Jr. and Chris Mercer, both of Holton; three great-granddaughters; and six great-grandsons. Besides her parents, Wilma was preceded in death by her husband, Wendell L. Mercer, two brothers, Glenn S. Horner and Raymond L. Horner and a sister, Lois H. Stous. Services will be 10 a .m. Wednesday at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will be in Holton Cemetery. She will lie in state beginning this afternoon at the funeral home, where family will greet friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday evening. Memorials may be given to the Jackson County Nursing Homes Van Fund c/o the funeral home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, 66436.