Janet D. Mercer

Memorial Celebration of Life Services for Janet Mercer, 70, of Corning, who passed away Monday, July 3, 2023, at the Lenox Care Center will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, July 6, at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Lenox. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until service time. Interment of ashes will be held at a later date at the Brooks Cemetery. Following the services there will be a luncheon served at the Corning Community Center. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox where we ‘Celebrate Life.’

Memorials may be given in Janet’s name. Memories may be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries.

Janet Debra (Steadman) Mercer was born Dec. 24, 1952, the daughter of Byron Steadman and Phyllis (Baker) Steadman in Corning. She grew up attending school first in country school, Nodaway #1, then at Brooks School, and later in Corning, graduating with the class of 1971. She often stated, “I always got cheated on my birthday,” as she was born on Christmas Eve. On Oct. 22, 1971, she was united in marriage to Doug Mercer at the Brooks United Methodist Church. The couple was blessed with the birth of two sons, Cody and Clay.

Janet had five siblings and they were a close family. Together they enjoyed traveling with their mother and sisters. She worked for Getter Drug Store and later for Larson & Jones Insurance Agency in Corning for many years. Living on the family farm, Janet enjoyed tending her flower beds and Doug’s large garden.

Once when she was picking strawberries she decided to sit and rest, unfortunately she sat on an ant hill – ending up with ‘ants in her pants!’ She would also just ‘walk by’ poison ivy, not touching anything, and get poison ivy. She always enjoyed watching her children in sporting events and she loved following Clay in his racing adventures. She loved feeding her humming birds and cardinals. Janet also enjoyed crafting, especially cross stitch; she was an avid reader and made the best angel food cake and excellent peach and cherry pies.

Left to cherish Janet’s memory are her mother, Phyllis Steadman of Corning; her two sons, Cody (Kristen) Mercer of Port Washington, New York; and Clay (Kristyn) Mercer of Corning; four grandchildren: Colten, Haven, Briggs and Mavryk; two sisters, Barb (John) Cosaert of Verona, Wisconsin; and Carol (Doug) Olive of Corning; along with many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Preceding Janet in death is her father, Byron Steadman; her husband, Doug Mercer in September 2021; a brother, Bryan Steadman and two sisters, Linda Jordan and Kathy Keever.

Janet will be missed by her entire family. The memories they shared throughout the years will remain in their hearts forever.