James "Jim" E. Mercer

James Edward "Jim" Mercer, 78 of Montrose, IA passed away Saturday, September 22, 2018 in West Burlington, IA. He was born July 22, 1939 in Sheffield, IL the son of James Richard and Ethel Lucille Martin Mercer. After his parents' divorce, his mother married Frank L. "Dutch" Copple and he raised Jim like his own. On June 1, 1968, Jim was united in marriage to Janice Hampton in Macomb, IL. She survives. Other survivors include one son, William "Billy" Mercer of Montrose, IA, two daughters, Tammie Mercer –Cruz of Montrose, IA and Veronica Mason (Chris) of Keokuk, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents. Jim was a veteran of the United States Air Force and proudly served his country. Jim had been employed as a truck driver for forty-five years. He also had been a correctional officer at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Ft. Madison, IA, worked at Ortho in Ft. Madison, had been an EMT for Lee County Ambulance and served as a volunteer fireman at the Montrose Fire Department. Graveside services with military rites was held at 2 p.m., Friday at the Keokuk National Cemetery.