Vera Jean (Burchett) Mercer, 63, died on February 2, 2008 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.

Jean was born on September 30, 1944 to William and Inez Burchett in Leon. Jean lived with her twin sister, Veva Dean Buell in Des Moines. Jean grew up on country farms in rural Ringgold County. She began her education at Poe #6 Country School and graduated from Mt. Ayr High School in 1963. Following graduation she married Howard H. Mercer and together they had one child, Charles Wade Mercer. She lived in several cities including Albuquerque, Kansas City, and Huntsville before returning to Des Moines in 1984.

Jean retired as a Secretary for Wolverine Procurement in 2000. She was a member of Capitol Hill Christian Church, the WOTM Lodge #1255 in Huntsville, AL where she had served as both Jr. and Sr. Regent. Jean donated her eyes to the Iowa Lion’s Eye Bank.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Mary Ann Burchett; her nieces, Nancy Burchett and Laurie Sackett. She is survived by her son, Charles, Sr. (Debbie); brothers, William Burchett of Montezuma and Duane (Margie) Burchett of Lamoni; sisters, Louise (Larry) Sackett of Ellston, Dean Buell and Joyce Tucker of Des Moines; grandchildren, Charles Wade Mercer, Jr. and Lydia Maynard; one great-grandchild; aunts, LaVon Thomas, Betty Powers and Cleola Geist of Mt. Ayr and several nieces nephews, cousins and friends.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 7 at Rose Hill Cemetery in Mt. Ayr. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday evening at Brooks Funeral Care in Clive.