Harold “Fog” Mercer passed away on Feb. 3, 2024 in Bowling Green at age 99. He was born in Huntington Beach, California on Sept. 16, 1924 to Lloyd and Mabel (Reber) Mercer. The family moved to Ohio in 1929 and he graduated from Portage Township High School in 1942.
In 1943, Harold joined the army and spent 26 months in England, France and Germany. He was a Private First Class and was awarded the Combat Infantry badge.
On May 4, 1947, Harold married his best friend and classmate, Velma Crawford, and they settled in Cygnet until moving to Bowling Green in 2000. While in Cygnet, he served 3 years on village council and 3 years as mayor. He and his brother, Leon, started Mercer Bros. Construction and built 125 homes in Wood County. Upon retirement in 1986, he and Velma spent 12 winters in Bradenton, Florida.
Harold loved traveling, fishing, boating, camping, bicycling, golf, and most of all spending time with his daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. In November 2022, he moved to Brookdale Assisted Living. While at Brookdale, he enjoyed Bingo, jigsaw puzzles, Legos, and watching Wheel of Fortune and football games with his treasured friend, Rita.
Harold was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, sister Helen, and brothers Leon and Dick. Surviving are daughters: Sue (Denny) Knauss and Carol (Ken) Sander; grandchildren Kelly (Brian) Robinson, Josh (Amy) Knauss, Zak (Courtney) Knauss, Neil (Chrissy) Sander and Ashlee (Kyle) Amspaugh; great-grandchildren Logan (Julia) and Oaklee Householder, Kylee, Tyler, and Quinn Knauss, Lia and Luca Sander, and Addie, Eli, and Anna Amspaugh.
Contributions in Harold’s memory may be made to Bridge Home Health and Hospice or Disabled American Veterans.
A private celebration of life service and burial at Wood County Memory Gardens will be held at a later date.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Deck-Hanneman Funeral Home, 1460 W. Wooster Street, Bowling Green. www.hannemanfuneralhomes.com.
