Alton C. "Jake" Mercer, 103 of Madison, Indiana, passed away Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at his residence. He was born in Finley Township near Scottsburg, Indiana on October 27, 1906, the son of the late John Franklin and Estella (Sutton) Mercer. He was the oldest descendent of the Collings/Richey pioneer family of Scott County and a strong supporter for the preservation of the Pigeon Roost Massacre Memorial and the Scott County Heritage Museum. Jake was a carpenter and cabinet maker and worked for the old Graham Lumber Company in Scottsburg for many years and the old Russ and Russ Lumber Company in Jeffersonville, Indiana. In 1949, he became co-owner & manager of the old Sellersburg Lumber & Supply Company in Sellersburg, Indiana for 24 years and sold the business and retired in 1974. Following the death of his wife of 49 years, Helen Corlett Mercer in 1979, he moved to Florida where he lived until 2003 when he returned to Indiana to make his home with his daughter and son-in-law, Alice and C.T. "Neil" Pruitt. He was a 65 year member and Past Noble Grand of the Odd Fellow Lodge # 555 in Scottsburg, past member of the Scottsburg Volunteer Fire Department, former President of the Scott County Conservation Club, former chairman of the Selective Service Board, current member of the Scott County Genealogical Society and Historical Society. He was also a former member of the Bethel Baptist Church and the First Baptist Church of Scottsburg. He was currently a member of the first Baptist Church in Punta Gorda, Florida and when health permitted also attended the First Baptist Church in Madison, Indiana. Survivors include his daughter, Alice M. (Neil) Pruitt of Madison, Indiana; a granddaughter, Sherri (David) Brandon of Madison, Indiana; a grandson, C. Thomas (Tami) Pruitt of Austin, Texas; great grandchildren; Kasey and Kenton Bradley, Marcus Weiser, Mandy Hewitt, Tanner and Hailey Pruitt, 6 great great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Helen; a son, Richard Mercer; a granddaughter, Diane Mercer- Graham; three sisters, Nettie Strouse, Gladys Weir and Addie Mae Graham; a brother, Ivan Mercer and his 2nd wife, Norma Knapp Mercer. Funeral Service: 1:00 pm on Sunday at Collins Funeral Home in Scottsburg with burial in Scottsburg Cemetery. Visitation: 4:30 to 8 pm Saturday and after 11 am Sunday at Collins Funeral Home. Memorial Contributions: Old Ox Church Preservation or Scott County Genealogical Society c/o Collins Funeral Home.

  








Alton C. Mercer

October 27, 1906
July 07, 2010
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