Church packed for funeral of popular churchwarden
2007.
St. Matthews Church, Harlaston, was filled to capacity for the funeral of Mr Evan Mercer, who died earlier this month aged 75.
A well respected man in the village Mr Mercer held the office of churchwarden for 43 years organising the induction of five rectors.
He also served as chairman of the parish council for over 25 years, was a school governor and chairman of the gardening guild and senior citizens committee.
Evan Mercer was born in 1931 at the Homestead in Harlaston - a property built by his forefather William Mercer in 1773.
He was the sixth generation of the Mercer family but born prematurely which left him with one leg shorter than the other and difficulty in coordinating his limbs.
After leaving the Queen Elizabeth Grammar SChool he worked on the family farm, eventually taking it over upon the death of his father in 1969.Â
Mr Mercer was brother to four sisters, Alison, twins Christine and Jenet and Gillian and though never marrying and having children himself was a much loved uncle.
His sister Alison Birch told the Herald he was a sports enthusiast and a lifelong supporter of Aston Villa.
"I had great respect for his values," added Mrs Birch.
"He was a humble man and honest but with a dry sense of humour."
Mrs Birch added that her brother had a 'phenominal memory' and was a great reader with a wide knowledge of social, economic and military history.
"He was a fountain of information and will be sadly missed," she added.