James R. Mercer

WELLSVILLE, Ohio — James (Jim) Mercer, 76, of Wellsville, passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 24, 2025. He was born in East Liverpool, Ohio on Nov. 27, 1948, the son of Clarence (Burt) and Audrey Mercer.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his son, James (Jimmy) Mercer, and his brother, Ed Mercer. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Debbie Mercer, his siblings, Shirley Wells of Wellsville, Ohio, Sally (Bob) Long of Wellsville, Ohio, Amy (Kraig) McAdoo of Apollo Beach, Fla., and Julie Johnston of Wellsville, Ohio. His children include Nancy (Roger) Haines of Westerville, Ohio and Melissa (Daniel) Klein of East Liverpool, Ohio, and his grandchildren are Derek, Owen, and Cooper Klein, and Tori and Charlie Haines.

Jim graduated from Wellsville High School in 1967. After high school he joined the United States Army, he was a Sergeant First Class and served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969. His military accolades include the Air Medal and the Bronze Star Medal.

He was employed by the Army Corps of Engineers until he retired in 2011. With the Army Corps of Engineers, he was honored with the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service for outstanding performance during his career.

In his free time, Jim loved deer and squirrel hunting, and fishing for walleye at Pymatuning and Mosquito Lake. He also loved playing poker in his basement and playing slot machines in the “cafes” across the river.

Visitation will be held at Dawson Funeral Home on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. at Dawson Funeral Home on Friday, Aug. 29, prior to internment at Spring Hill Cemetery.

View James’s memorial webpage and express condolences online at www.dawsonfuneralhome.com.

8/26/25