Joan E. (Bixby) Mercer Obituary (1945 - 2020)

Joan E. Mercer, 74, of Columbia City, passed away on Saturday, May 30, 2020, at Parkview Hospital. Born in Ann Arbor, MI, on August 10, 1945, to the late Adrian and Hilda (McClean) Bixby. She spent her formative years in Fort Wayne, graduating from Elmhurst High School. Later she graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington. Joan was married to Rex P. Mercer in Fort Wayne, on April 27, 1968. The couple lived in Fort Wayne until 1998, when they moved to Big Lake. Joan moved to Columbia City after the death of Rex on February 27, 2004. She worked as a teller at Weatherhead Federal Credit Union, retiring in 2004. She also worked at Fort Wayne National prior to Weatherhead. Joan was a member of the Veteran's National Memorial Shrine on O Day Road. Joan is survived by her daughter, Lisa (Mark) Doehrman; her son, Rex (Melissa) Mercer; a sister, Penny Bixby; three grandchildren, Weston (Jennifer) Doehrman, Laura and Brandon Doehrman; a great-grandson, Martin Doehrman. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded by a brother, Dan Bixby; a great-grandson, Emmet Doehrman. Services will take place at St. John Lutheran Church, 2465 W. Keiser Road, Columbia City, on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, from 11:00 a.m., to the start of the service. Burial taking place at Christian Chapel Cemetery, Merriam. In Lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to the Veteran's National Memorial Shrine, O Day Road. Online note to the family at www.sheetsandchilds.com.