Ira Merce Obituary

Ira Merce

Ira Merce was not so much in the business of selling life insurance as he was interested in making friends and solving problems. His Christian faith was a guiding principle to his business conduct, and his integrity won many loyal clients. He retired from Western & Southern Insurance in 1997.

Ira passed into the Lord's care Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at Birchaven Village, Findlay. He was 90.

Born June 4, 1932 in Swedesboro, New Jersey, to parents Russel and Crystal (Patterson) Merce, he graduated from Port Washington (Ohio) High School and served with U.S. Air Force in the Korean War as a hydraulics mechanic.

He married Jane Louise Barrick on Sept. 16, 1955, and they were blessed with four daughters which they raised in the Christian faith. Ira was an active member of Cook Road Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, sang in the choir, and was involved in Evangelistic Outreach. He was also a member of Gideons International Mansfield South Camp.

Following his retirement and a move to Lakeland, Florida, he was active with Calvary Baptist Church. He sang in the choir and taught classes for the church in a nearby nursing home.

An avid Cleveland Indians fan â€" "No they're the Guardians" â€" following every game, he collected baseball caps (hundreds of them), and his military history in aviation made his 2017 Honor Flight all the more special.

Ira valued his faith and the twinkle in his eye was a glimpse into his sense of humor and ornery side. A "Poppa Bear" to his four girls, he was their defender and hero. He will be remembered for his compassion, ready smile, strong work ethic, and how he forged lasting relationships.

He is survived by his children, Mary and Dwayne Litt of Mansfield, Donna and Scott Freehafer of Findlay, and Crystal and Rob Stauffer of Howard; grandchildren, Chris and Kim Litt of Bowie, Texas, Elizabeth Litt of Mansfield, Courtney Jaynes of Savannah, Georgia, Ryan and Tesla Freehafer of Mansfield, Cory Jaynes, who serves with U.S. Army, and Ericka and Zack Walls of Howard; great-grandchildren, Mykenzie, Ethan, Madilyn, and Elijah Litt of Bowie, Texas, Alivia and Elliot Litt of Mansfield, and Marlee Walls of Howard; brothers, Donald (Carol) Merce of Lakeland, Florida, William (Betty Lou) Merce of Stuart, Florida, and Richard (Elaine) Merce of Port St. Lucie, Florida; numerous nieces and nephews; and a kennel of granddogs.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Jane (Barrick) Merce; second wife, Betty (Giddens Stickler) Merce; daughter, Valerie Merce; his parents and the mother who raised him, Leona Berry Merce; and siblings, Vivian Ann Merce, Leroy Merce, and Anne Merce Rogan.

The Merce family will receive guests 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home, where his funeral will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 20, 2022. Friends may call the hour prior to the funeral. Pastor Gordon Dickson and Pastor Chris Litt will officiate. Burial will follow at Mansfield Cemetery, where Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail will perform military honors.

Contributions in his memory to Mission Fund of Calvary Baptist Church of Findlay, Flag City Honor Flight, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital may be made at the funeral home.

The Merce family extends their gratitude to Ira's caregivers at Birchaven Village over the past year!

Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve Ira's family. Share a message of support with them and watch Ira's tribute video online at SnyderFuneralHomes.com.