Irene Belle (Fountain) Mercer

      Irene Belle Mercer, age 86, of Elsie, MI, passed away Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, Lansing, MI.

     Funeral Services for Irene will be private and burial will take place at Ford Cemetery, Elba Township, MI.

      Irene was born in Remus, Michigan on December 17, 1935, the daughter of Hugh Fountain and Lucille (Esch) Fountain. Irene married Howard Lee Mercer on October 24, 1953, in Remus, MI. Howard passed away on September 13, 2019.

      Irene enjoyed cooking, baking and hosting family dinners. She loved helping people anyway she could. She liked spending time with her coworkers, friends and playing cards. Irene loved her grandchildren and her siblings very much. She was a member of the Elsie United Methodist Church. 

     She is survived by her son Mark (Mary) Mercer of St. Johns, MI; grandchildren: Ricky Mercer, Amy Mercer, April (Sean) Nobach, and Marc (Andrea) Mercer; great-grandchildren: Robin, Kyle, Chelsea, Bailey, Logan, and Chloe, sister Judy (Bill) Kennedy of Mt. Pleasant, MI; and sister-in-law Gloria Fountain of Cadillac, MI, and brother-in-law Duane Mercer of Farwell, MI.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Howard, son Ricky Leroy, and her siblings: Marion (Ward) Leiter, Connie (Max) Clyde, Jack Fountain, and brother-in-law Roger Flachs.

     Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.