Duane Mercer

Duane Mercer, 62, passed away Monday, October 17, 2011 at Tampa General Hospital of cancer. Born June 3, 1949, in Bartow, Mr. Mercer was a lifelong resident of the area. He was owner/operator of Alturas Citrus Fruit Company, dedicating 37 years of his life to this career. He formerly was a supervisor with IMC Phosphate at the Noralyn Mine administrative offices in Bartow for several years. He was a member of the Alturas United Methodist Church & the Bartow Kiwanis Club. He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Candy Voigt Mercer; two daughters: April Dennis & husband David of Bartow; Michele Leone & husband Robert of Tampa; son: Duane Mercer, Jr. of Tampa; parents: Edwin & Montez Mercer of Alturas; brother: Jerald Mercer of Atlanta; four sisters: Glenda Crawford & husband David of Winter Haven; Rebecca Bryan of Auburndale; Carolyn Pollock & husband Lyle of Lake Alfred; & Alice Fowler of Lake Wales, and 6 grandchildren: Ansley Dennis, Jude Dennis & Jonah Dennis all of Bartow; Nicholas Leone, Avery Leone & Aidan Leone all of Tampa. Family will receive friends Thursday, October 20, 2011, 6-8 PM at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home, Bartow. Funeral services will be held Friday, 11:00 AM at the First Presbyterian Church, 355 S. Florida Ave, Bartow. Memorials may be made to Alturas First Methodist Church, P.O. Box 66, Alturas, 33820.