Helen L. Mercer Anderson, age 82, of Marion and formerly of Mount Gilead, is now at peace, leaving her earthly struggles behind on Friday evening, October 25, 2013, at Marion General Hospital following an extended illness.
On February 23, 1931, Helen was born in Lucasville, Ohio, the third of nine children of the late Jesse J. and Dessie M. (Locke) Legg.
Just before graduating, Helen left school early to marry a young man who stole her heart, Lonnie M. Mercer Sr. They were married on June 7, 1947, and shared over 24 years together, lovingly raising five children. As a family, they moved from Piketon, Ohio, to Mount Gilead in 1965. He preceded her in death on August 29, 1971.
To help make ends meet for her family, Helen worked many jobs throughout her life. She worked at North Electric in Galion for several years. Needing to be closer to home, she was a cook and baker for several years at the Copper Kettle in Mount Gilead. Getting a second chance at love, Helen met Howard “Tinker” Wygle, and soon thereafter they moved to Chandler, Arizona and were married in 1979. They shared six years of marriage, and enjoyed catering together for the “More Like It” restaurant. He preceded her in death in 1985.
Then for the rest of her working career, she dedicated herself to several different kitchens as a cook and baker extraordinaire. She was a cook, baker and caterer for the Chandler Hospital for 10 years.
Helen moved back to Firebrick, Ky. in 1991 and married Joe Anderson. Marriage did not work out so she moved back to Marion. She worked at several restaurants before ending up as a baker and cake decorator at Meijer’s.
Wanting to go back to Arizona she moved to Snowflake to be with her daughter, Ella Mercer. She worked as a Receptionist and a thrift store clerk for a Community Agency. She then left Arizona to go to her daughter, Edith Davis to be closer to her grand-children and great grand children in Las Vegas, Nevada. Helen after several years in Las Vegas decided to go back home to Marion.
In addition to cooking, Helen loved tending to her flowers both indoors and out. She even did some flower arranging. She also loved to quilt and crochet gifts for her beloved family. She loved to travel and go camping. She could have told you about her many experiences while camping.
She will be dearly missed by her three daughters: Frances (Ronnie Fannin) Horton of Mount Gilead, Ella Louise (Lyn Musgrove) Mercer of Snowflake, Arizona, and Edith “Edie” Davis of Las Vegas, Nevada; four grandchildren: Gary (Jenna) Mercer Jr., Lonnie (Holly) Mercer, Raegene Raczkowski, and Cory (Jennifer) Mercer; 8 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild on the way; a brother, Junior (Barbara) Legg of Piketon; and two sisters: Violet Williams of Waverly, Ohio, and Mary Call of Baltimore, Ohio; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Including her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Lonnie Mercer; second husband, Howard “Tinker” Wygle; two sons: Gary Mercer and Lonnie Mercer Jr; and 5 brothers: Elmer, Eldon, George, Franklin and Ralph Legg.
Her family will greet friends from 2 – 5 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5, 2013, at the Snyder Funeral Home, Craven Chapel, 67 N. Main St., Mount Gilead. Services honoring her life will follow at 5:00 p.m. Burial will be observed privately by her family in Rivercliff Cemetery.
Snyder Funeral Homes of Mount Gilead is honored to have been chosen to serve Helen’s family. To express your private condolences and read her full obituary visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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