James Mercer (Veteran)

Mr. James A. Mercer, age 65 years, of Holts Summit, Mo., passed away Monday, July 18, 2011, at St. Mary's Health Center. He was born on December 2, 1945, in Valley Park, Mo., a son of Esco and Pauletta Tredway Mercer. He was married on July 7, 1978, in Sullivan, Mo. to Lorena Dillion. A life long resident of the Central Missouri area, James was a truck driver for various companies, retiring in 2006, from Drinkard Trucking. James served in the United States Army during Vietnam and was a member of the American Legion, Roscoe Enloe Post 5. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed the thrill of the hunt, fishing, and shooting guns. Survivors include: his wife, Lorena Mercer; four sons, Gary Wilson and his friend, Betty Higgins of Tebbetts, Mo., John Bilyeu of Taos, Mo., Randy Mercer and Ronnie Mercer; one daughter, Tama Bratton and her husband Bill of Holts Summit, Mo.; one brother, Richard Mercer and his wife Cheryl of West Plains, Mo.; one sister, Linda Christianson of Arizona; nine grandchildren, Ciera Bratton, Chris Turner, Shane Wilson, Tyler Wilson, Aaron Wilson, Shannon Bilyeu, Mason Bilyeu, Mike Kallenbach and Michelle Hieslen; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death his parents. Visitation will be held at Freeman Mortuary from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 20, 2011. A funeral service will be conducted at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday in the Freeman Chapel with the Reverend John Harris officiating. Private graveside services and interment with military honors will be conducted at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the American Diabetes Assn. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com