Etta Rae Mercer, 95, of Edwardsville, IL, went peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior, surrounded by her family on February 24, 2026. Etta Rae was born on February 19, 1931, to Jasper and Ethel Mae Patton of Edwardsville.

The three greatest joys in Etta Rae's life were clear. First and foremost, she loved the Lord Jesus Christ with all her heart and dedicated her life to serving Him. Her faith was her passion, guiding everything she did. Second, she cherished her beloved husband, Glen, and devoted herself to loving and caring for him throughout their remarkable 73 years of marriage. Together, they found happiness in the simple pleasures—sitting side by side on the porch swing, greeting neighbors as they passed, and tending to the birds she faithfully fed each day. Etta Rae was also a deeply devoted mother to their three children. Her six grandchildren were her pride and joy, and her great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren truly were the apple of her eye.

Etta Rae possessed a genuine caregiver's heart, always finding joy in tending to those she cherished—her family, parents, siblings, in-laws, neighbors, and friends. Whenever someone was in need, Etta Rae was the first to answer the call, offering comfort and support without hesitation. Her compassionate spirit touched countless lives, and she was deeply loved by all who knew her. Etta Rae's presence will be profoundly missed, leaving a legacy of kindness and devotion that will endure in the hearts of those she cared for.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jasper and Ethel Mae Patton; her eleven siblings; her brothers-in-law; her sisters-in-law; her granddaughter, Danyele Mercer; and daughter-in-Law, Sharon Mercer.

She is survived by the love of her life, her husband of 73 years - Glen Daniel Mercer; three Children, Rick Mercer of IL, Deborah Mercer of IL, Karen (Jerry) Gaccetta of GA; five grandchildren, Christie (Rick Rudolph) Mercer, Joshua (Stephanie) Mercer, Courtney (Dave) Wilkerson, Shelby (Michael) Young, and D.J. Mercer; thirteen great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren; and many loving nieces & nephews.

A public visitation will be held from the chapel of Sunset Hill Funeral Home on Friday, March 6, 2026, from 10 am to 11 am. A funeral service will follow immediately after the visitation at 11 am.

The family is being served by Sunset Hill Funeral Home, 50 Fountain Drive, Glen Carbon, Illinois  62034.