Mr. Earl "Sonny" Mercer, Jr., 82 of Frederick, died on Friday, May 25, 2012, at his home. He was the loving husband of 52 years to Mary Ellen McCardell Mercer. Born in Frederick, on April 7, 1930 he was a son of the late Earl W. H. and Dorothy Toms Mercer. Mr. Mercer was a graduate of Frederick High School Class of 1947 and served in the Maryland National Guard from 1947 to 1958. He was president and owner of Earl W. H. Mercer and Son, Inc., a milk hauling business founded by his father, until his retirement in 2000. He was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and attended with his wife Saint John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church. He was also a member of the Frederick Elks Lodge, the Maryland Farm Bureau, and former member of the Potomac Fish and Game Club. Mr. Mercer was an active member of the Maryland Motor Truck Association, Inc., and had served as president, and secretary of the Western Maryland Chapter of MMTA. He enjoyed spending time at his summer home in Falling Waters, West Virginia, where on the Potomac river he enjoyed boating and in earlier years water skiing. In the winter months he loved spending time at his home on Lake Marion, in Summerton, South Carolina. He loved working in his yard and tending to the many flowers and plants. He also enjoyed antiquing, attending estate sales and playing golf. Sonny and his wife enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean Islands and many countries in Europe. Surviving in addition to his wife is one brother, Ted T. Mercer and wife Fern, of Frederick, a sister, Beverly M. Maggitti and husband Gabriel, of Baltimore, brother-in-law, F. Leonard McCardell and wife Carol, and sister-in-law, Nancy L. Miller and husband Wallace, all of Falling Waters, West Virginia, nephews, Gabriel N. Maggitti, Jr., Mark E. Maggitti, Thomas L. McCardell, Randall Hart, David Hart and Christopher Miller, nieces, Denise N. Fagan and Theresa L. Maggitti, and many great nieces and nephews. He will also be remembered by Kimberly Young, of Frederick, who was like a daughter. He was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Carole Ann McCardell and nephew, Christopher A. Maggitti. His family would like to remember his wonderful care givers, Sylvia Mercado and her daughters, Evelyn and Claudia, Jose Ortiz, Juanita Machic and also Hospice, especially, Matt and Holly. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at the Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, 106 East Church Street, Frederick. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, May 31, 2012, at Saint John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 118 East Second Street, Frederick. Concelebrants will be, Rev. Miguel Mateo and Msgr. Alfred E. Smith. Interment will be in the Mount Olivet Cemetery, Frederick. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Frederick County, P. O. Box 1799, Frederick, MD 21702. Online condolences may be shared at keeneybasford.com
