Melvin Leon Mercer, 80, of Brazil, IN, passed away Wednesday, May 19, 2021.

Leon was born on December 1, 1940, to Melvin O. and Emma Lurene (Sullivan) Mercer in Carbon. He was a 1959 graduate of Van Buren High School. On February 9, 1962, he married the love of his life Barbara Faye Allen, who survives.

A farmer for 49 years, Leon was well respected in the agricultural community. His dedication to conservation through no-till farming was recognized by the Indiana Prairie Farmer, and he was recognized as Outstanding Conservation Farmer at the state and county levels. Leon farmed acreage in Clay, Parke and Vigo Counties, and was considered by all to be great steward of the land he worked. He was a member of NFO, Farmers’ Union, and Indiana Farm Bureau.

At age 10 Leon’s mother encouraged him to take “Hawaiian guitar” lessons. This began a love of music that would be a big part of his life. Through high school, Leon played steel guitar in various groups, ultimately touring with a group of musicians from Missouri. Having met his wife to be, Barbara, and deciding to pursue farming, music would be an avocation that he would continue to enjoy for life. Following retirement from farming, he was very active in the regional music scene, performing professionally. He was inducted into the Wabash Valley Musicians Hall of Fame in 2007.