Joan Claire Mercer “Joanie”, 91 of Westerville, Ohio died on Friday, March 25 from a sudden illness. Joanie was born November 6, 1930, in Columbus to John and Helen Luckhaupt. She attended St. Mary Magdalene Elementary and St. Mary of the Springs Academy, class of 1948. After graduation, she trained at the IBM Training Center before working in downtown Columbus where she met her future husband Richard (Dick) Mercer after getting off the elevator onto the wrong floor. They married in 1957 and raised four children in Minerva Park before later moving to Westerville. They were lovingly married for 57 years. Joanie was loving, caring, and generous. She was a devoted Catholic and parishioner of St. Patrick and St. Paul church. She was very active in her children’s school, and volunteered for many community and charitable organizations. Joanie had endless curiosity. She loved finding out how things worked and loved fixing things. Her many hobbies included crafting and furniture refinishing. She loved playing cards and going to lunch with long-time friends and family. Joanie had a love of sports. She was an athlete in high school playing tennis and basketball. She enjoyed going to the batting cages with her grandchildren and throwing the lacrosse ball into her eighties. Most of all, Joanie treasured her family and her family treasured her. She enjoyed a close relationship with her siblings and extended family. She made weekly Sunday dinners bringing four generations of family together. Preceded in death by her husband, Richard (Dick) Mercer, parents John and Helen (Rappold) Luckhaupt, sister Mary Ellen (Ed) Murtha. Survived by her son Mark Mercer, daughters Christine (Mitch) Grindley, Nancy (Jim) Richards and Molly Mercer and Bob Murphy. Grandchildren Brian (Katie) Grindley, Katie (Patrick) Hesketh, Kristin (Declan) Kavanagh, Allison (Kevin) Kulka, Kelly Richards and Andrew Richards. Great Grandchildren Alistair Grindley, Henry, Grace and Owen Hesketh, Shea, Tripp and Millie Kavanagh, Harrison and Deacon Kulka. Also survived by brothers David and Tim (Karen) Luckhaupt and Sister Kathy Power. Brother-in-laws James (Charlene), Michael (Connie) and Phillip (Susan) Mercer. Many beloved nieces and nephews. Family and friends may call 4-7 PM on Thursday March 31 at Egan-Ryan Northwest Chapel, 4661 Kenny Rd. Prayer service 6:45. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday April 1 at 10 AM at St. Patrick Church, 280 N. Grant Ave. Parking on parish property on east side of church and on the street. Burial to follow at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ Child Society of Columbus, PO Box, 340091, Columbus, Ohio 43224.
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