Anthony Ray Mercer, 65, known to many as Tony and Uncle Buck, passed away at Parkview Hospital Randallia in Fort Wayne on November 18, 2023. The son of Gilbert Ray Mercer and Shirley Lou (Barnes) Wenmoth, Anthony was born on December 12, 1957, in Greenville, Kentucky.
Anthony possessed the ability to fix anything his hands touched. He made a living doing what came naturally to him, from mechanics to handy work. While living in North Manchester, he worked for Dexter Axle, Controls, Eel River Steel, and scrapped with his brother-in-law, Johnny Spriggs. During his time living in Cleveland, North Carolina, Anthony worked as an injection molder for Mueller Industry and was able to utilize his mechanical gifts to buy broken down trucks to repair and resell them. He was an honest man doing honest work, and those lucky enough to have known him picture him in his favorite bib overalls.
Anthony was a family man, and his life changed for the better on January 19, 1985, when he married Betty J. Wood-Tamburrino. Each brought their own children into the marriage, becoming one family. They went on to have a son together. Anthony loved his family dearly. He was his Family’s protector and a person on whom they could depend. He was also a strong Christian man who loved the Lord. Anthony enjoyed making jokes whenever he could and especially delighted in a good home-cooked meal.
The loving memory of Anthony Ray Mercer will be forever cherished by his wife of nearly thirty-nine years, Betty J. Mercer, North Manchester; mother, Shirley Lou Wenmoth, North Manchester; sons, Chris Mercer, North Manchester, and Danny (Roberta) Tamburrino, Louisville, Kentucky; daughter, Kelly Starks, Mesa, Arizona; sisters, Carol Spriggs, North Manchester, and Amy Wenmoth, Knoxville, Tennessee; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Anthony is preceded in death by his father, Gilbert Ray Mercer; son, Anthony Ray Fischer; sisters, Gina Lynn Pantonyvich, Terry Arlene Mercer, Sherry Darlene Mercer, and Renea Janine Mercer.
A celebration of Anthony’s life will be held Sunday, December 3, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester, with Pastor J.P. Freeman officiating. Family and friends may visit from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at McKee Mortuary.
The family of Anthony Ray Mercer has entrusted McKee Mortuary with care and final arrangements.
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