Mabelle King Mercer; Ojai Citrus Grower

Mabelle King Mercer, 91, a longtime homemaker and citrus grower in Ojai, has died.

She was born Aug. 19, 1904, on her father’s wheat ranch in Sherman County, Ore. The family came to Ventura County when Mabelle was a young girl, and she was educated in Ventura schools during her early elementary years, said her daughter-in-law, Judith Mercer of Ojai.

The family returned to the Oregon wheat country, and Mabelle was sent to the Mount Angel Academy boarding school. She attended and was graduated from The Dalles High School in Oregon.

“Mabelle did one year at University of Oregon,” Mercer said. “She was very proud of doing one year. For a female at that time that was quite an accomplishment.”

The family made its way back to Ventura County, and on April 21, 1926, Mabelle married E. Sydney Mercer of Ventura. The ceremony was held in the San Buenaventura Mission.

After living in Ventura for several years, the couple moved to an orange grove in Ojai Valley, where they established a home with their two children.

The Mercers were longtime contract orange growers for Sunkist.

Mabelle Mercer was a “high energy” woman who was very generous with her time, Judith Mercer said. She was a charter member of the St. Joseph’s Women’s League, and was involved with the Republican Women’s Club, St. Thomas Aquinas Altar Society, Help of Ojai, and the Double Duffers Golf Club.

“Mabelle was active in her church and in her community,” Mercer said.

She is survived by a son, Dr. Edward Mercer of Ojai, and a daughter, Mary Mercer of Ferndale, Wash.; and five grandchildren, Catherine Conahey of Bellingham, Wash., David Conahey of Ojai, Patty Uribe of Ojai, Dr. Christina McGinley of La Crescenta, and Steven Mercer, a student at American University in Washington.

Mabelle Mercer is also survived by nine great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Ojai with Father Pat Keene officiating. A private graveside interment will precede the Mass.

Donations may be made to the St. Thomas Aquinas Youth Center. Arrangements are under the direction of the Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.

Antchagno, Eleanor R., 93, of Ojai, homemaker. Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.

Bussey, James E., 71, of Ventura, retired Los Angeles police officer. Ted Mayr Funeral Home, Ventura.

Coyne, Bernard P., 85, of Oxnard, retired bookkeeper. Guardian Memorial Funeral Directors of Ventura County, Oxnard.

Payne, Ruth J., 95, of Newbury Park, retired Bible instructor. Pierce Brothers Griffin Mortuary, Thousand Oaks.

Ventura County obituaries are published free of charge as a public service to readers. Obituaries are based on information provided by mortuaries.