Michigamme - A Memorial Mass in celebration of the life of Robert A. Mercier will be held at 4:00PM on Friday July 8, 2011 in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Champion with the Rev. Fr. Greg Heikkala to officiate. The family will greet relatives and friends from 3 until 4pm on Friday July 8, 2011 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Champion. A meal will follow the mass downstairs in the church.

Bob passed away on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital of complications related to cancer. He was a summer resident of Michigamme, and wintered in Chicago, IL.

Bob was known for his enthusiastic enjoyment of people. A respected educational leader at the high school where he taught, Bob loved teaching and mentoring young people. His artistic nature led him to found and operate A Stone's Throw, a shop in Michigamme. He was a member of Kiwanis clubs in Marquette; Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and Lakeview-Chicago in Illinois. Bob served two three-year terms on the Northern Michigan University Alumni Association board of directions, including 1999-2000 as president. Also, he received the alumni service award from NMU. A strong supporter of Bay Cliff Health Camp, he enjoyed volunteering there. Bob's adventurous spirit took him to 49 states, as well as Russia, Africa, and on a 500-mile hike along the Camino de Santiago in Spain.

Bob was born October 29, 1940, to Clifford and Louise (LaCosse) Mercier. He graduated from Michigamme High School in 1958 and Northern Michigan University in 1962. He received a Master of Arts degree from Northern Michigan University in 1965. He was a teacher and mathematics department chairman at Willowbrook High School, Villa Park, IL, retiring in 1994.

Bob is survived by his wife, Mary (White) Mercier; a daughter, Jean Louise (Jeremy) Smith of Eugene, OR; two grandsons, Lucas Robert Smith and Miles Mercier Smith; a niece, Catherine (Tim) Bulera of Onalaska, Wis.; and a nephew, Christopher (Michele) Bentti of Hastings, Mich.; two great-nephews, Ben T. Bulera, and Mark Luke; and three great-nieces, Sierra Michele Bentti, Ann (Tom) Christian and Jennifer Luke,. He is also survived by Lorraine Tapio Mercier; an aunt, Catherine J. Beaudreau of Escanaba; and many cousins, including Jim Carter of Marquette. His sister, Rosemarie Bentti; his brother-in-law, Edwin Bentti; his niece, Mary Ann Luke; and his parents preceded him in death.

Memorial considerations may be directed to Michigamme Township, PO Box 44, Michigamme, MI 49861 with a notation indicating the Mercier Memorial Fund. The memorial will be used for future improvements of the children's playground at the Michigamme Township Park.