Barbara Ann Kutz Mercer, of Dover, formerly of Milford, passed away peacefully after a brief illness, on Sunday August 24, 2014 at Kent General Hospital in Dover. She was 90 years old.
Barbara was born in Milford on June 22, 1924 to Madora (Flick) and Harry Fleming Hart. She attended all her school years in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, graduating from John Harris High School in 1942. It was there that she met her future husband William Wilson Kutz.
She graduated from nursing school in Harrisburg as an RN while Bill served in the Army Air Corps during WW2. They were married in 1945 and moved to Newark where she worked as an RN at the University of Delaware infirmary while Bill attended college.
Barbara settled in Milford, near her parents, and raised two sons. The Kutz family was among the earliest members of the Reformation Lutheran Church. She was active in Beta Sigma Phi Sorority for over 50 years and the Milford Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.
After the death of her first husband, she married Robert H. Mercer of Milford and started the second chapter of her life. Together they built a home in Shawnee Acres and lived there until moving in 1999 to Westminster Village in Dover. Church played an important part in her life. While living in Milford, she and Bob were members of Avenue United Methodist Church and after moving to Dover, joined Wesley United Methodist Church.
She was a devoted mother, grandmother, wife and friend. Barbara loved the beach and vacationed in Fenwick Island for over 50 years.
In addition to her parents, Barbara was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, William W. Kutz.
She is survived by her husband of 23 years, Robert H. Mercer, children, Douglas H. Kutz and wife Kathy of Parksley, VA, and William A. Kutz and wife Elizabeth of Summerfield, NC; and two step daughters Ann Varey and long time companion John "Hack" Hackenberry of Wilmington , and Kay Majoch and husband Les of Milford; two granddaughters, Aislinn Lewis and husband David of Hubbardston, MA, and Priscilla Kutz Olinick and husband Matt of Summerfield, NC; three great grandchildren, Heidi Mae Lewis, William Lucas Olinick and Weston Matthew Olinick; and numerous step grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A private graveside service will be held at the Milford Community Cemetery in Milford.
A celebration of her life will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 28, 2014 at the Wesley United Methodist Church, 209 S. State St, Dover.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions be made to the Wesley United Methodist Church, 209 S. State St., Dover, DE, 19901.
(08/25/14)