Fred J. Mencer

Fred J. Mencer, 86, of Winchester Place, Horicon, went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, April 13, 2010. He was born a son of Archie L. and Edna M. Ferman Mencer on February 17, 1924, in East Smethport, PA. He received Jesus Christ as his Savior on August 17, 1947, while hitchhiking. A man stopped to give Fred a ride and witnessed to Him about the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. He served with the United States Army Air Corps. from 1942 – 1946 in England, France and Germany.Fred married Corinne F. Wickmann on September 30, 1955, at Baptist Temple, Oshkosh. They met at the Summer Institute of Linguistics, University of Oklahoma, Norman.In 1946, he attended Clarion State College, Clarion, PA, and then he attended Washington Jefferson College, Washington, PA, in 1947. Fred graduated from Baptist Bible Seminary in Johnson City, NY, in 1951 and then graduated from Wheaton College in 1952. In 1956, he graduated with a master’s degree of theology from the Dallas Theological Seminary. In 1963, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison with a master’s degree in library science. They were appointed as missionary candidates to the Belgian Congo under Baptist Mid-Missions in 1956. The development of family health problems prevented them from pursuing the vocation.He worked as a librarian in Ashland from 1963 – 1965, and then at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire from 1965 - 1970. He then became the Director of Dodge County Library Service, in 1970, until his retirement in 1990. He was a member of Calvary Bible Church, Fond du Lac, and he enjoyed his ministry in Gideon’s International. He taught Bible study at the Waupun Correctional Facility from 1980-1984. He was a life member of Wisconsin Library Association, Madison. He was a member and past president of the Beaver Dam Kiwanis Club. Fred was also active in the Boy Scouts of America having reached the level of Eagle Scout. He also enjoyed the outdoors, camping, swimming and hiking.He is survived by a daughter: Grace (Anton) Hughes, Mayville; two granddaughters: Becky Hughes and Rachael (Matthew) Riel; a brother, Robert (Helen) Mencer, Hamburg NY; a cousin, Glenn (Hanna) Mencer, Smethport, PA; and other cousins in Smethport and Rochester, NY; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Corinne, a grandson, Tony Hughes; a brother, Donald Mencer; a sister, Dolores Mencer. The funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, April 16, 2010, at Calvary Bible Church, 70 East Pioneer Road, Fond du Lac, with Pastor Ken Kramer officiating. Burial and military rites will be conducted at Oakwood Cemetery, Beaver Dam.The visitation will be at church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Gideon’s International. The family would like to thank the staff at Winchester Place and Heartland Hospice for the compassionate care given to Fred.For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of your selves, it is the gift of God – not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians Chapter 2, Verses 8-10

Fred J. Mencer

February 17, 1924 - April 13, 2010