LeRoy Walter Mercier

LeRoy Walter Mercier, 69, of Springfield, died at 7:35 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at Memorial Medical Center. LeRoy was born April 19, 1939 in Springfield, the son of Walter and Anna Kruger Mercier. He married JoAnn Valenti in Springfield on June 5, 1960. She preceded him in death in 2005. LeRoy was a graduate of Lanphier High School. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving from 1958 to 1962. During his military service, LeRoy assisted NASA with the retrieval of the monkey for the first earth orbital flight in 1962. Following his military service, LeRoy worked at the State Journal Register for twelve years and then at the Illinois Department of Revenue in the Division of Lottery. In 1972, LeRoy founded L & M Chicks, now L & M Services. LeRoy was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church where he was an usher and a trustee. He loved helping people and especially loved his family. He was still living in the house in which he grew up. LeRoy was a self-made man who worked hard for everything he got. He was humble, honest and kind. He belonged to the Navy Club and was a host family and regional representative for Youth for Understanding. He enjoyed raising animals, fishing and playing paintball. He is survived by two sons, Brad (wife, Diana) Mercier of Cantrall and Joe (wife, Ginger) Mercier of Springfield; three daughters, Rhonda Mercier of Springfield, Jody (husband, Mark) Martin of Dawson and Kara (husband, Mike) Hamer of Springfield; seven grandchildren, Ryan, Logan, Quintin, Carter, Evan, Olivia and Benjamin; a brother, Robert Mercier of Springfield; a sister, Linda (husband, Don) Papenberg of Streator; one niece and four nephews. Family will receive friends from 4:00 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, 2009 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. An additional visitation will be held from 10:15 10:45 a.m. prior to funeral ceremonies at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 9, 2009 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2750 E. Sangamon Ave., Springfield with Pastor Darrell L. Debowey officiating. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery where military honors will be conducted by the Department of Defense and Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 687 E. Linton Ave., Springfield, IL 62703.