At noon on June 28, 140 descendants of L.G. and Stella Mercer met at the Fairfield Local School Auditeria for their annual reunion.
On Jan. 17, 1900, Lewis Gilmore Mercer and Stella Vance were married and eight daughters were born to this union: Bess Mercer Duncan, Opal Mercer Murray, Maxine Mercer Patton, Frances Mercer Wiggins, Jeannette Mercer Miller, Jane Mercer Cannon, Hilda Mercer Lucas, and Kathryn Mercer Karnes. Each year one of the families acts as host for the reunion. This year the family of Maxine Mercer Patton welcomed family and guests.
The family was called together with prayer for the bountiful noon meal. This family celebration features perusing pictures, letters, other memorabilia, reminiscing, talking, and eating! The Patton family brought several albums of previous reunions for everyone to enjoy! Basketball, relay, and guessing games were enjoyed by the children.
Attending from the Patton family were: Jerry and Mary Patton; John and Mary Lou Patton, and John Lane and Jacob William Moreman; Randy and Jill Roush; John Purvis and Hannah Rawls (guest); Katlyn Roush and Drew Williams, Kensington and Greyson.
Attending from the Duncan family were: Becky Simmons Fritz; John Duncan; George and Cheri Duncan Hazelbaker; Jerica Hazelbakr; Bob and Janet Duncan Martin; Cory Martin; Jeff and Lydia Duncan; Nathan and Grace Duncan Miller and McKenzie Jo; Jason and Libby Duncan McNeal; Scott and Sarah Duncan; Frank and Joyce Duncan Cosler; Lucas Cosler and Havenly Stone (guest).
Attending from the Murray family were: Tom and Jeanne Murray Boyle; Dave and Carol Boyle Gustin; Ryan and Kara Gustin Dame, Reagan and Maverick; Brent and Ellen Boyle Zink; Nathan and Susan Zink, Kerian and Leo; Nathan and Megan Zink Rutledge and Luke; Aaron and Mary Beth Zink McKenzie; Terri Boyle; Jared and Bridgette Boyle Warner, Isabella, Adeline, and Eleanore; Jim and Jan Murray VanDervort; Dave and Valerie VanDervort Reed; Vic and Tammy VanDervort; Madelyn and Lincoln; Nic and Erika VanDervort Miller and Kate; and Jessica VanDervort.
Attending from the Miller family were: Marilyn Miller; David and Jill Miller Stratton; Jaime Lyle; Angela Miller; Stacey Miller Belvins; Ryan Miller; Austin Miller and Blake Adams (guest); and Hunter Tira.
Attending from the Lucas family were: Hilda Mercer Lucas; Richard and Peggy Lucas; Kevin and LuAnn Lucas Roe; Landry and Abby Roe, Harper and Porter; Rob and Lynette Lucas McCray, Luca and T.D. Matesic; Chase and McKenzie McCray Henson, Larah and Stella; Phyllis Lucas Garrison; Scott and Karen Garrison, Kelsey and Clay; Jay Garrison; Chuck and Kathy Lucas Nutter, Luc Nutter and Brenda Congeni (guest); Franklin and Jan Lucas; Rodney and Hannah Lucas Banks, Lila and Lucas; Otis Wagner; Tate and Heather Wagner, Baxter, Preston, Chandler and Makayla Montgomery (guest); Wayne and Lebria Wagner Duncan, Gwendolyn and Noralyn.
Attending from the Karnes family were: Gil Karnes and Pearl Weaver (guest); Lee Karnes and Darlene Karnes; Nancy Karnes; Steven and Patti Karnes, Tara and Bryn; Patrick and LIndsey Karnes; Zach and Meghann Karnes, Ackley and Adaliene.
Members of the Wiggins and Cannon families were unable to attend.
The family will gather together again next year on Sunday, June 26, 2016, with the family of Frances Mercer Wiggins the next scheduled host.
Submitted by the Mercer family.
