Gail Ella Mercer

Gail Ella Mercer born in Akron on June 18, 1937, late of New Franklin, Ohio, went home to be with the Lord on October 25, 2022. Bacher-Moore Funeral Home, 3326 Manchester Rd., Akron OH 44319, 330-644-0024 is handling the arrangements.

Preceded in death by her parents, Paul Watson Mercer and Ranghild Linnea Streid Mercer, and sister Barbara Mercer Hopkins (6.22), Gail is survived by special cousins, Twyla Holmstrom Sales of Cleveland and brother, Larry Holmstrom of Clymer, NY, Fr. Richard Thompson, Rebecca Thompson and Victoria Graham of Pittsburgh, PA, nieces Sue and Melissa, and nephew, Ryan, friends, and caregiver, Suzanne Gibson.

A resident of Manchester [nka New Franklin] since 1971, Gail was a graduate with diplomas from Manchester HS, a Bachelor of Science in education from the University of Akron, a Master of Arts from Michigan State University, and an honorary Jennings scholar. She was also especially proud of the 10 years of promoting and directing the Kids Circus at Seiberling School.

Gail was a co-founder of the Akron Bicycle Club as an avid bicyclist. She traveled via bicycle in 22 states, including Hawaii, 6 European countries, Southern Ontario, and Nova Scotia. Gail also loved reading and could often be found at the local library buying $5 bags of books—some favorites were Lee Child and Terri Blackstock—which she shared with friends.

She learned serious artwork in colored pencil and later discovered the art of carving and decorating eggs. This included a ten-year run as President of the group of “eggers”, later known as the Ohio Egg Artists Guild, and included being an egg decorator at the former weeklong show at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens. Gail never tired of enjoying the visual arts, boating, photography, and birding. She piloted her own pontoon boat on the Portage Lakes about 20 years.

At her request, there will be no calling hours or services, graveside [in the Manchester Cemetery] or otherwise.