Thomas Lee Mercer

Thomas Lee Mercer, 83, of Carthage passed away Friday, May 12, 2023 at Hancock Regional Hospital. He was born May 5, 1940 in Anderson, Indiana to the late Samuel James and Thelma (Lee) Mercer. A twin brother, Ronald did not survive.

When Tom was two, he, his parents and his older sister, Charlotte moved to the small northern Indiana town of Stroh. Tom’s growing up years were spent in a house on Main Street in Stroh, near his church, Stroh Church of God. Tom’s father taught school at Salem Center High School. A brother, Larry, was born when Tom was five years of age. He enjoyed playing baseball, basketball and running track, where he held the school record in Sprinting.

Tom graduated from Salem Center High School in 1958 and entered Anderson College that fall. He graduated from Anderson in 1962 and obtained a teaching position at his alma mater, Salem Center. On June 8, 1963, Tom married his college sweetheart, Claire Ann Clark in Pawnee Avenue Church of God in Wichita, Kansas. Claire received her diploma from Anderson College that same month.

The first year they were married, Tom and Claire lived in Angola, Indiana. They both taught for the Prairie Heights School Corp. – Tom was teacher and acting principal at Flint School. The following year, Tom was hired as sixth grade teacher at Carthage School in Carthage, Indiana. Thus began a career with what after became Charles A Beard School Corp. of Knightstown, Carthage and Kennard. In 1970, Tom and Claire bought the historic home of John D. Hill at 7 S. Walnut Street in Carthage, where they would live the next 53 years. It was there that they raised their three children and enjoyed happy times with friends and family, which later would include grandchildren. Tom and Claire served as camp directors for the Indiana Soldiers and Sailors Children’s Home Camp from 1978-1983.

Tom’s love of the community, its history and its present was apparent in his involvement in his activities and on-going research and collecting old photos and memorabilia. Following retirement in 1998, Tom loved time spent with the family, doing historical research and watching sports on TV, especially IU Basketball. He also spent time traveling and attending grandchildren’s basketball games and other activities. Family was Tom’s greatest joy and each gathering was treasured.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Thelma Mercer; his twin brother: Ronald and his sister, Charlotte McClurg.

In addition to his wife, Claire, Tom is survived by three children: Bradley Scott Mercer (Mary Floyd), Lisa Mercer and Melinda Suzanne Mercer (Brett Schutzman); grandchildren: Ruby Charlotte Smith (Zach), Jackson Lee Edwards, Dallas Reed Edwards, Michael Markins (Traci) and a great-granddaughter: Bailey Markins; a brother: Larry (Patricia) Mercer.

Tom loved God, his family and his friends. He never said a harsh word against anyone and was totally unselfish. He was honest and ever aware of others’ needs.

Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service-Knightstown Chapel. Services will follow at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday with Robert Guillaume officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Carthage. Memorial contributions may be given to the Carthage Library, 102 N. Main St. Carthage, IN 46115 or East Street Christian Church, Carthage, IN 46115. You may express condolences or share a memory of Tom at www.hinsey-brown.com .