Ruth Lee Mercier

Ruth Lee (Humes) Mercier, 89, died peacefully on March 9, 2026 at Juniper Village where she had resided for the past two and a half years.

Ruth, the daughter of William Humes and Clara Thompson Humes, was born at home on July 22, 1936 at Conneaut Lake Park, and married Paul M. Mercier at Saint Hippolyte Church on April 28, 1956. They were married for over 67 years, until Paul passed away on June 16, 2023. Ruth attended St. Agatha School, Conneaut Lake High School and graduated from Meadville Area High School, class of 1955.

Ruth was employed at the A & P store, was a schoolbus driver for PENNcrest School district in the Maplewood attendance area for 29 years, and a substitute driver for Williams Brothers. She was known as “Ruthie the bus driver” and she especially loved driving the girls basketball team to away games. After retirement, Ruth enjoyed being a driver for several local Amish families. She also served as a tax assessor for East Mead Township for six terms.

Ruth was a past president of the Altar Rosary Society and served as the first president of Le Nom du Pere Society at Saint Hippolyte Church where she was formerly a religious education teacher and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Paul and Ruth were caretakers of Saint Hippolyte Cemetery and were honored for over 50 years of service. Ruth was proud to be an Associate of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, joining in 1985. Ruth made her Cursillo in 1981 and worked on several teams as a Cursillista. Ruth and Paul were part of the team of original founders of St. James Haven, a homeless shelter for men in Meadville. She was also the oldest member of the East Mead Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary Association.

As her children were growing up, Ruth served as the secretary/treasurer of the Mid-East Athletic Association and the vice-president of the Frenchtown Athletic Association for 12 years. She also helped to start the Mid-East girls softball league in the early 1970s.

Ruth’s hobbies included reading, bingo, golfing, fishing, bowling, and softball.

Ruth is survived by four children: Kathryn (Philip Sr.) Young, Paul II (Amy) Mercier and Desiree (David) Wagner of Guys Mills, and Theodore “Ted” (Sueann) of Meadville; 11 grandchildren: Jennifer (Craig) Beuchat, Kara (Michael II) Walton, Philip Jr. (Melinda) Young, Elisabeth (Jason) Janis, Raymond (Diana) Young, Paul III (Heidi) Mercier, John (Megan) Mercier, Renee Mercier, David Jr. (Mattie Vukmer) Wagner, Danielle Wagner, Tristen (Nick) Grindstaff, an honorary grandson Matt (Courtney) Sheldon, and 24 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her beloved sister Charlotte (Harold) Sheldon of Erie, sister-in-law Ann Semler, numerous nieces and nephews, and her good friend, Lynette Graham of Cochranton.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, an infant son, sisters Elaine Hatfield, Janet (Robert) McKenzie, and Clara Titus; one brother Bill; sisters/brothers-in-law, Lucille (Dale) Hamilton, Margaret (Norm) Brumbaugh, Francis Mercier, Fred Gist, Harry Semler, grandson Michael Mercier, and her best friend Sister Margaret Joseph Mokes.

Family and friends are invited to call on Thursday, March 12th from 2:00pm to 4:00pm and 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Ryan M. Warren Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 544 Chestnut Street, Meadville. A Prayer Service will be held at 7:30pm with Deacon Todd Sommers, officiating. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 13th at 10:00am at Saint Hippolyte Roman Catholic Church, 26012 N. Frenchtown Road, Guys Mills, with Father Jeffrey Lucas, pastor, as celebrant.

Burial will follow in Saint Hippolyte Cemetery.

The family will forever be grateful for the wonderful care she received from the staff of Juniper Village of Meadville and Gentiva Hospice.

Memorial contributions can be made in Ruth’s memory to St. James Haven, Meadville and the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Erie.

Please take a moment to share a memory or condolence on Ruth’s Book of Memories online at www.WarrenFH.com