Douglas Lloyd Mercer, longtime Blackwell resident died early Thursday morning, November 22, 2007, at his home at the age of 82.

Doug was born August 19, 1925, in Blackwell, the son of Stanton and Ethel (Diemer) Mercer.

Doug attended and graduated from Blackwell Public Schools. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the military and served with the 78th Infantry Division in Europe. He was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge by machine gunfire in February, 1945. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, the European Theater Ribbon and the Infantry Badge. He was discharged in April, 1946.

After the war, Doug returned to Blackwell and went to work for the Blackwell Zinc Company working there for 28 years. When the Blackwell Zinc closed, he went to work as an Insurance Agent for Shelter Insurance Company for 16 years retiring in 1991.

In his youth he played, coached in the youth city program, and loved to watch the game of baseball. He enjoyed watching his grandsons in all their sporting events.

Doug and Colene Aldrich were married on September 21, 1947 in the Deer Creek Methodist Church. The Mercers recently celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary. They have lived in Blackwell all of their married life.

Doug was an active member of the First Baptist Church and also enjoyed the fellowship of JOY.

Mercer was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans. He served as a VFW Commander.

In his retirement he enjoyed traveling with his wife and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Colene Mercer of the home, son, Gordon Mercer of Norman and daughter Carla and husband Patrick Young of Ponca City. Five grandchildren; Kevin Young of Aurora, Missouri, Hunter and husband Chris Pickett of Oklahoma City, Amber Mercer of Boston, Massachusetts, Matthew Mercer of Oklahoma City and Kimberly Young of Norman. Four great-grandchildren; Lexi and Chloe Young of Aurora, Missouri and Nolan and Celton Pickett of Oklahoma City. Four sisters; Clella Leen and Myrna Hardiman of Blackwell, Velma Barker of Topeka, Kansas, and Rotha Howard of Idaho Falls, Idaho and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Creta Crawford and Almeta (Bill) Morris and brothers Stanton E. Mercer, Jr. and infant brother Kenneth Mercer.
The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 27, 2007, in the First Baptist Church in Blackwell with the Rev. Michael Moers of First Baptist Church in Blackwell and the Rev. Rick Longcrier of First Baptist Church in Miami presiding. Interment will be at Mount Olive in Nardin, Oklahoma, with the Blackwell American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars performing military rites.

Casket bearers will be Patrick Young, Kevin Young, Matthew Mercer, Ron Morris, Bob Berline, Layle Steele.

Honorary pall bearers are Lester Conaway, Don Merhoff, Myron Smith, Jim Frazier, Dr. Wayne Ghormley, Scott Hammack, Archie Reyez, Richard Shoemaker, Don Sprueill, Stan Keeley and Bill Brown.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church or Faith Hospice of Blackwell in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, OK 74631.