Memorial Fund Established for Excel Employee

Kelly James Mercer, 33 and his wife, Jodi, 31, were killed in a car-bus accident in mid-February. Mercer’s father and a family friend also died in the accident.  The Mercers leave behind three children, ages nine, seven and five.

The Mercers were traveling in a car that collided with a chartered school bus. Passengers on the bus received a variety of injuries, but there was no additional loss of life.

According to Excel’s Jeffrey Van Galder, Kelly Mercer was a long-time employee of Excel, starting as a painter and advancing to his final position of shop foreman, where he was responsible for all equipment after fabrication through shipment.

“His pride, expertise, and commitment to quality led to his being featured in a company advertising campaign highlighting his skills,” Van Galder remarks. “As he was a dedicated employee, he was also a dedicated husband and father and will be missed personally and professionally.”