In Memory Of
James Duane Mercer
1944
2023
James Duane Mercer
September 26, 1944 — August 17, 2023
James Duane Mercer, 78, of Carbondale, Kansas went to be with the Lord on August 17, 2023.
Jim was born on September 26, 1944 in Topeka, Kansas. He was born to Claude S. Mercer and Ilo May (Lindsay) Mercer. They preceded him in death.
He attended Carbondale Schools and graduated from Carbondale High School in 1962. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Venice Mae Grindal on February 9, 1963. She survives of the home. The Mercer's owned and operated school buses for over seven decades.
Together they had four children, Debbie (Jim), Tim (Angie), Stacey (Troy) and Brenda. They have four grandchildren: Abbie, Jacob (Kaitlyn), Samantha and Lauren (RJ), and eight great-grandchildren: Kadence, Jaxon, Paisley, Malia, Kallie, Roman, Kennedy, and Meilani.
Jim loved the Lord and loved his wife of 60 years. His greatest pride came from his four children. He took great joy from watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow. As an avid and lifelong hunter, Jim had the stories to tell! He loved the anticipation and planning for the next hunt with his son, grandson, and a few trusted friends. He spent hours on Google Earth plotting the best pathways to the tops of mountains. The only thing better than the planning was the stories told afterward…repeatedly to anyone who would listen. They only got better with time! Family vacations are priceless memories, spending nearly every summer in the Colorado mountains. Countless motorcycles, four-wheelers and vehicles (trucks, cars, vans, semis, boats) came and went in the search for the perfect mode of transportation for any need. Serving generations of children with safe transportation was his professional goal. Millions of miles were driven to ensure passable roads and filling in of calendar after calendar with buses needed for school activities to ensure every student made to it to competitions, games and events.
A celebration of his life will be held at Topeka Bible Church on Thursday, August 24th at 2:00. Visitation will be prior to the service at 1:00.
As an avid, lifelong hunter, memorials are suggested to the SFT Trap Team and Hunter's Safety program in care of Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home at: 1321 SW 10th Ave, Topeka, KS 66604 or you can Venmo @JimMercerMemorialFund (Confirmation Code: 2566).
To share a memory of Jim or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
Jim was born on September 26, 1944 in Topeka, Kansas. He was born to Claude S. Mercer and Ilo May (Lindsay) Mercer. They preceded him in death.
He attended Carbondale Schools and graduated from Carbondale High School in 1962. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Venice Mae Grindal on February 9, 1963. She survives of the home. The Mercer's owned and operated school buses for over seven decades.
Together they had four children, Debbie (Jim), Tim (Angie), Stacey (Troy) and Brenda. They have four grandchildren: Abbie, Jacob (Kaitlyn), Samantha and Lauren (RJ), and eight great-grandchildren: Kadence, Jaxon, Paisley, Malia, Kallie, Roman, Kennedy, and Meilani.
Jim loved the Lord and loved his wife of 60 years. His greatest pride came from his four children. He took great joy from watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow. As an avid and lifelong hunter, Jim had the stories to tell! He loved the anticipation and planning for the next hunt with his son, grandson, and a few trusted friends. He spent hours on Google Earth plotting the best pathways to the tops of mountains. The only thing better than the planning was the stories told afterward…repeatedly to anyone who would listen. They only got better with time! Family vacations are priceless memories, spending nearly every summer in the Colorado mountains. Countless motorcycles, four-wheelers and vehicles (trucks, cars, vans, semis, boats) came and went in the search for the perfect mode of transportation for any need. Serving generations of children with safe transportation was his professional goal. Millions of miles were driven to ensure passable roads and filling in of calendar after calendar with buses needed for school activities to ensure every student made to it to competitions, games and events.
A celebration of his life will be held at Topeka Bible Church on Thursday, August 24th at 2:00. Visitation will be prior to the service at 1:00.
As an avid, lifelong hunter, memorials are suggested to the SFT Trap Team and Hunter's Safety program in care of Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home at: 1321 SW 10th Ave, Topeka, KS 66604 or you can Venmo @JimMercerMemorialFund (Confirmation Code: 2566).
To share a memory of Jim or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Duane Mercer, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Thursday, August 24, 2023
1:00 - 2:00 pm (Central time)
Topeka Bible Church
Memorial Service
Thursday, August 24, 2023
Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)
Topeka Bible Church
Guestbook
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