Charles (Chuck) Mercer

Charles Daniel (Chuck) Mercer passed away peacefully on March 22, 2023. He was born on July 12, 1927 in Milwaukee, WI. He grew up primarily in the Seattle, WA area and graduated from Clover Park High School. He entered the U.S. Navy after high school and served on the USS West Virginia as a quartermaster striker until the end of WW2. He left the Navy and enrolled in San Mateo Junior College, followed by St. Louis University, where he graduated with a degree in Chemistry. It was in St. Louis where he met his wife, Noreen (Rene) Schupp Mercer. They were married on Sept. 6, 1952 in Burlington, Iowa. He served in the US Air Force after college. After leaving the Air Force, Chuck began his long career in the aerospace industry, eventually working for Lockheed in Sunnyvale, CA. Chuck and Rene raised their family of eight children in Cupertino, CA. Upon retiring from Lockheed, they made their home at Lake of the Pines in Auburn, CA. Chuck was a kind, generous and loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He was a man of few words who spoke volumes with his actions. He and his wife, Rene, had a home that always had an open door and a seat at the table with a glass of wine, for anyone who came to visit. Chuck was an accomplished athlete; he played basketball and baseball as a youth and in his later years enjoyed tennis and especially golf. He was most proud of his 3 holes-in-one. Chuck was a natural leader. He was the President of the Holy Name Society at St. Joseph of Cupertino Church and a member of the Lake of the Pines Board of Directors. He served as a Eucharistic Minister at St Teresa of Avila Church for many years. Chuck was a most loyal 49er fan - in good times, as well as bad. Chuck was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rene, in 2015. He is survived by his eight children Nari, Chip, Kim, David, Barb, Shawn, Mike, Jenny and all of their spouses, 26 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, his sister-in-law, Marianna Brinck, and many loving nieces and nephews. His legacy of devotion to his family, his faith and his country will inspire all who had the privilege to be a part of his long and happy life. A memorial Mass will be held at Saint Teresa of Avila Church in Auburn Friday, March 31st at 2:00, followed by a celebration of life at The Lake of the Pines Sports Lounge. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Wounded Warrior Project www.woundedwarrior.org.