Joseph Mercer

Joseph Mercer departed peacefully surrounded by family Monday, May 18, 2026. He is Preceded in death by his parents, Faulkner and Mae Mercer and his only sister, Sharon Mercer Leppke. He is survived by his wife, Lois Pugsley Mercer; four children, Tim (Shelly) Mercer, Tod (Melissa) Mercer, Ted (Staci Mercer and Lori (Jeff) Brummett; nine grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and numerous family members and friends.

Joe endeavored to devote his life to God first, his family second, and to helping others in his church family and community. His life has been built around his God, and thus his church. Over the years he has served as a Trustee, a Deacon, a Sunday School Teacher and a choir member.

He graduated from High School in Gresham, Oregon and from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois.

Joe served 20 years on the Wichita Police Department as a beat officer, detective, school liaison officer and as a member of the Exploited and Missing Child Unit, devoting much of his time working with runaways. Following his retirement from WPD, he served as a security officer at Wesley Medical Center for ten years. Since his retirement he has put in more than 5000 hours of volunteer service at Wesley.

However, his favorite roles were that of husband, dad and papa. Joe always put the needs of his family above his own needs. He has been a great role model to all of the men in the Mercer family.

Joe lived or Jesus' command in Matthew 7:12 which says, "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them", because he believed that every person should be respect. Because of this, Joe was admired, even by those whom he had to arrest, as a fair and impartial man.

His funeral service will be held 10:00am, Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at the New Hope Bible Church, 11215 W. 13th St. N., Wichita, KS. Interment will follow at White Chapel Memorial Gardens in Wichita, KS.

A memorial has been established with:
Wichita Police Benefit Fund
Wichita Police and Fire Foundation
300 W. Douglas, #460
Wichita, KS 67202