James Mercer

James Mercer, 87, of Chambersburg, PA, passed away Saturday morning, February 25, 2017 at his home. Born in October of 1929 in Odum, Georgia, he was a son of the late Edmund and Annie Ring Mercer. Mr. Mercer served in the US Army for twenty-two years, retiring in June of 1973 at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3. During his military career he was assigned as an investigator with the Criminal Investigation Command at the CID Agency Headquarters in Washington, DC and served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War as well as in Korea and Germany. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and was twice awarded the Army Commendation Medal. Following his retirement from the military he was employed for eighteen years with the former Moore’s in Chambersburg, retiring in July of 1991. While living in Florida he attended the Baptist Church and then later attended Mt. Pleasant United Brethren Church in Chambersburg. He was a life member of Charles Nitterhouse Post 1599 VFW and a member of the Marine Corps League and Burt J. Asper Post 46 American Legion, all in Chambersburg. He enjoyed fishing and traveling to Canada in the summer to fish. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife and woodworking.

Mr. Mercer is survived by his wife, Betty Perry Mercer, whom he married in October of 1948; his daughter, Christina Mercer of Chambersburg; his son, Allan Mercer of Alexandria, VA; two grandsons, Dustin Ulrich of Chambersburg and Tyler Ulrich of Fayetteville; his great-granddaughter, Ashlyn Ulrich; and his niece, Jane Fatu of Jacksonville, FL. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Arnie Surrency; and three sisters, Ethel Wells, Mary Roland, and Eva Bowman.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Wednesday, March 1, 2017 in the Chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA. Pastor Ray Seilhamer will officiate. Interment with military honors by members of the Charles Nitterhouse Post 1599 VFW Honor Guard will follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:00-10:00 AM Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to Mt. Pleasant United Brethren Church, 2509 Black Gap Road, Chambersburg, PA 17202.