Charles J. Mercer

Charles Mercer, age 94 of Brule, passed away November 13, 2013 at the Albuquerque VA Medical Center in NM.
Charles was born October 6, 1919 at Elliott, Iowa to Charles C. and Iona (Streepy) Mercer. He graduated from Ogallala High School with the class of 1936. Following his schooling, Charles worked in Colorado Springs, CO on the Camp Carson project with Peter Kiewit.
On November 23, 1940, Charles married Lorene “Sis” Anderson at Cheyenne, WY. A few years after they were married, Charles was called to serve his country in WWII while Sis remained in Brule where she cared for their son, Jerry. Charles served in the South Pacific theatre where he was part of the Saipan Invasion as a member of the 767th Tank Battalion and part of the occupation of Japan, where he was tapped to serve as a driver for an Army Captain. Following his discharge, he rejoined his family in Brule. Their union was later blessed with another son, Robert. Charles worked as a mechanic in his uncle-in-law’s shop for several years before starting a job at Larson Oil in Brule. In the early 1960’s, Charles opened a bulk plant that served farmers in the surrounding area as Frontier Oil. Not long after, he founded Husky Oil, eventually opening service stations in Ogallala, and Brule. Charles would retire in the late 1980’s. Upon his retirement, he and Sis enjoyed wintering in Florida and New Mexico.
Charles always enjoyed keeping large gardens. He would often share the fruits of his labors with family and friends. Charles proudly sponsored a softball team, the Mercer Huskies, for nearly 20 years. The team was a great source of enjoyment and pride for him, and he never missed a game.
Charles was a long time member of the First Congregational Church in Brule, where he had also served on the board. He was a member of the Brule Lions Club, Ogallala Elks Lodge and Brule Volunteer Fire Department. He was a past president of the Brule School Board, and had served as mayor of Brule for over 20 years.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers, Leland, Donald “Deak” and Verl; 2 sisters, Verda Reisner and Evelyn Fenwick.
Survivors include his wife, Sis Mercer of Brule; 2 sons, Jerry (Bea) Mercer of Peralta, NM, Robert (Gayle) Mercer of Daytona Beach, FL; 6 grandchildren, Crystal (Charles) Phelps, Cindy Mercer, Randy Mercer, Mandy (David) Kwiatek, Melissa Mercer, Michael (Kathy) Mercer; 9 great grandchildren, Nicholas, Samantha & Brandon Phelps, Dirk, Talia, Reese Brown, Lauren & Alec LaBouff & Camden Mercer; along with many other relatives and friends.
Memorials are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project in his memory. Condolences may be shared at gubserfuneralhome.com.
Services will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church at Brule with Pastor Ginny Adams officiating. Burial will be in the Brule Cemetery with military honors handled by the Keith County Veterans Organizations.
Visitation will be on Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Gubser Funeral Home in Ogallala.
Gubser Funeral Home in Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.