Twila Marie Mercer, 81, of Bowerston, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, at Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield Heights. Born Apr. 25, 1940 in Dennison, she was a daughter of the late Donald Clifford and Virginia E. (Keck) Bower.
On Sept. 25, 1960, she married Ronald C. Mercer, who survives her, along with their daughters, Cindy (Dean) Gladura and Sharon (Gary) Varney and grandchildren, Josh (Lindsey) and Matt Gladura and Samantha and Addison Varney. Twila is also survived by her sisters, Donna (Ralph) Greer and Barb (Carl) James; foster sister, Lisa Marsh; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Kenneth R. Bower, and stepmother, Elizabeth “Sis” Bower.
Twila was a lifelong area resident and a 1958 graduate of Conotton Valley High School who attended Roxford United Methodist Church. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother and for her work at the Bowerston Public Library, where she was the librarian for over a decade. She loved her work at the library, especially the children’s activities like story hour and crafts. She also volunteered as a reading tutor. Twila enjoyed her time spent with her garden club and book club. Above all, she cherished her family and doted on her grandchildren, who were the light of her life.
Pastor Ron Heasley will officiate a 5 p.m. funeral on Wednesday, Nov. 24, at the R. K. Lindsey Funeral Home in Dennison. She will be interred in Bowerston’s Longview Cemetery on a future date. Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Roxford United Methodist Church.