Vernon H. Mercier

Vernon H. Mercier Jr., 80, passed peacefully in his home on Thursday, February 2, 2023, following a brief brain cancer illness. He lived an amazing life full of family and friends. Vern was born November 3, 1942 in Freeport, Illinois to Vernon Henry Sr. and Rose Ellen (Yankey) Mercier. He graduated from Freeport High School in 1960. He married Vicki Lynn Harvey on December 14, 1963 at Trinity Church in Freeport. They have two children - Laura and Aaron. Vern and Vicki lived most of their life in Freeport. Vern began his career as a technical draftsman and then worked at Micro Switch as a tool and die designer. Later, he and Vicki founded the Sunshine Pop Dock and ran it for three years. They also opened the Garden Deli and the Cornucopia restaurants in Freeport. Vern was licensed to sell real estate in the 1970s and co-founded Krogull - Mercier Realtors in the early 1980s. Later, Vern worked for the County Assessor's office. He was a leader in the community as a board member of the Freeport Art Museum and as president of his local condo association. Vern and his family loved Lake Wisconsin and spent many summers on the lake boating and waterskiing. He and Vicki lived there for 10 years in their retirement until they moved back to Freeport in 2017. Their family was active in tennis and the Freeport Racquet Center, and Vern and Vicki enjoy a large circle of friends who played tennis together. Vern was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon Sr. and Rose Mercier, his brother Charles, and sister Jean Altman. He is survived by his wife Vicki and their two children - Laura (Michael) Thompson of Oak Park, Illinois and Aaron (Ginger) Mercier of Freeport. He is also survived by his brother William of Freeport; sister Maryanne of Milford, Illinois; sister Ruth of Mount Morris, Illinois; and brother John of Chandler, Arizona. Vern was the proud Papa of Samuel (Hannah) Mercier of New Orleans, Louisiana; Jackson Mercier of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Isabella Mercier of Freeport; Joseph Mercier, MA3 Petty Officer Third Class serving in Okinawa, Japan; Cecilia Thompson of St Petersburg, Florida; and Emma Thompson of Chicago, Illinois. Vern was looking forward to baby Max coming this spring to Sam and Hannah. Visitation will be held Monday, February 6 from 1-4 pm at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home. No funeral service will be held. Cremation rites have been accorded. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are welcomed to the Freeport Art Museum for the Mercier Memorial in support of the new art museum. Previous Events Visitation FEB 6. 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (CT) Burke Tubbs Funeral Home- Freeport 504 N. Walnut Street Freeport, IL 61032 https://burketubbs.com Loading map