Gentry county Missouri, Obituaries: James F. Mercer Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm Submitted by: Don Raymond St. Joseph (Mo.) News-Press; Monday, March 20, 2006: James F. Mercer 1927-2006; ALBANY, Mo. - James F. "Jim" Mercer, of Albany entered into rest Saturday, March 18, 2006 at the Veteran's hospital in Leavenworth, Kan. at the age of 78 years. Jim, the son of Perry Franklin and Edith (Murphy) Mercer was born Aug. 4, 1927 in Gentry County, Missouri. On Jan. 4, 1947, Jim was united in marriage to Ruth A. Osterman in San Jose, Calif. She survives of the home. He is also survived by five sons, Fred (Beverly) Mercer, Gower, Mo., Ed (Glenda), Ridgeway, Mo., Rick (Sherri), Stanberry, Mo., Kent (Ruth), Maryville, Mo., and Mel (Jennifer), Tipton, Mo.; daughter, Martha (Mitch), Lakeland, Fla.; 17 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; brother, Garnett (Ann) Mercer, Darlington, Mo. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, six sisters and one brother. Jim served in the Navy during World War II at Bikini Atoll and was also stationed on Treasure Island in San Francisco. He served on the Navel Ships: Pensacola, Sarasota and USS Iowa. Jim was discharged in November of 1946. He lived his entire life and 59 years of marriage in the Albany area. For over 30 years he worked at Big 4 Hardware in Stanberry. He also held propane jobs, was night watch for the City of Albany, and participated in many volunteer activities for the community. Jim was a member of the Boy Scouts of America for 42 years, serving as Scout Master for Troop 102 of Albany in the Otoe District and was involved with the Tribe of Mic-O-Say of which he was Medicine Man. He attended Camp Geiger in St. Joseph each summer for 42 years. For 49 years, Jim was a member of the Athens Lodge No. 127 A.F. & A.M. of Albany, serving as the lodge secretary for several years. He was also a member of the Esther Chapter No. 13 of the Order of the Eastern Star. Jim was an active participant of the Albany Football Field "Chain Gang" (sideline down marker) from 1964 to 2005. Funeral Services: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 22, at the Roberson-Polley Chapel, Albany. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday evening at the chapel where friends may call anytime after 2 p.m. Tuesday. Burial-Grandview Cemetery, Albany. Memorial Contributions-Jim Mercer Scholarship Fund.