Mary Etta Mercer

Mary Etta Mercer passed away March 9, 2016. Mrs. Mercer was born January 15, 1921 in Portland, Michigan, the daughter of Anthony and Katherine Willems. She graduated from Portland High School and attended Aquinas College in Grand Rapids before coming to Lansing. She had been a resident of the Lansing Area for 65 years. She was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church and was active in the Women’s Altar Society; also an active 30 year member of the Mary Magdalene League of St. Lawrence Hospital. She enjoyed playing golf, bridge, and the time spent in the summer at Silver Lake, Hart, Michigan with her husband, children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed many winters spent in Sebring, Florida with her husband and many friends. She was preceded in death by her brother, Donald Willems; sister, Ethelene Lillie, and her parents Mr. and Mrs. Willems. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Francis R. Mercer; 3 sons, Fred (Sandy) Mercer of Sherman Oaks, CA, Brian (Katherine) Mercer of Zionsville, IN, Kevin (Karen) Mercer of Muskegon, MI; and one daughter, Sally (Dr. Mark) McMahan of Novi, MI; 8 grandchildren, Rebecca (Jim) Lesh, Elizabeth Mercer, Michelle (Grant) Robison, Leslie and Daniel Mercer, Brooke and Kerri McMahan and Erick Mercer; one sister, Marge Willems of Spring Lake, MI; one brother, Charles Willems of East Lansing, MI; and many nieces and nephews. There will be a visitation on Sunday, March 13, 2016 from 2-4p.m and 6-8 p.m. at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 East Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI 48823 with a rosary being prayed at 7:30pm. A Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 14, 2016 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 955 Alton St, East Lansing, MI with Father Dan Westermann officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. For those desiring, contributions may be made in Mary Etta’s memory to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School, 915 Alton St., East Lansing, MI 48823 or to the charity of your choice. The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 East Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.greastlansing.com.