James V. Mercuri Jr., 78, passed into eternal life on October 10, 2026. He was born in Dayton, Ohio on July 11, 1948, to the late James V. and Joann B. Mercuri Sr.

He was the beloved brother to Stephanie (Doug) Edwards and Felicia (Mark) Hartfield; uncle to Kyle Edwards (Amber Wright), Sarah Edwards (Nick Gebauer), Sean Edwards (Lexie Killinger), David (Nicole) Hummel, and Teresa (Harrison) Kirschbaum; great-uncle to August, Iris, Madison, Sydney, Wesley, Jackson and Harper; and special friend to Steve Hummel.

Jim was a 1967 graduate of Newark Catholic High School and loved his years at Newark Catholic. He was in the National Honor Society and received Summa Cum Laude in a National Latin Exam.

Jim was also a die-hard sports fan. He loved the Cincinnati Reds and Bengals, Cleveland Cavs, and The Ohio State Buckeyes. He loved a good pun and knew many obscure facts and family lore, and was the star on trivia night at the nursing home, which they held just for him. He was a devout born-again Christian for 54 years and now is in glory with His Savior.

Funeral services will be held at the Reed-Egan Funeral Home, 141 Green Wave Drive, Newark, 1 P.M., Tuesday, October 20, 2026, with Pastor Steve Smith as celebrant. Calling will be held at the funeral home for one-hour prior to the service. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Newark, will follow services.

We would like to thank Generations Home Health Care nurses Kim and Holly, and extend special thanks to the staff, caregivers, nurses and doctors at Hearth Brook Assisted Living and Riverside Landing Skilled Nursing Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hearth Brook in Newark, Riverside Landing Skilled Nursing homes in McConnelsville, Ohio, or Boys Town at Donate to Kids In Need: We Don't Give Up On Kids