oUR CARING STAFF

Marla Mercer-Cole

Former Owner/Grief Counselor

Marla Mercer Cole joined Mercer-Adams Funeral Service in February of 1998 with the purpose of developing a program to assist the families we have served after the funeral. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Eastern Nazarene College in 1980, and returned to school to earn a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology from Southern Nazarene University in 2000. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and her services are offered at no cost to families served by Mercer Adams. She maintains a private practice in Oklahoma City. Professional memberships include American Academy of Bereavement as a Certified Bereavement Facilitator, Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) where she has most recently achieved the status of Fellow in Thanatology: Death, Dying, and Bereavement, Oklahoma Counseling Association, Oklahoma Mental Health Counselors Association, and American Association of Christian Counselors. Upon her Dad’s retirement in 2006, Marla assumed the position of Vice President where she oversees Community and Public Relations, Marketing, and the AfterCare Program, which remains a significant priority. Marla continues to have a passion for walking alongside families after a loss, recognizing that while no one can walk that path for another, no one should walk it alone. She brings compassion and empathy in addition to training and professional skills to her work which she clearly views as a ministry she is proud Mercer Adams offers to grieving families. She and Tim, her husband of 40+ years, moved from Boston to Oklahoma where they live in Northwest Oklahoma City. Their two sons, along with their wives and children also live in the greater OKC metro area.

Gary Mercer

Retired - President/Funeral Director/Embalmer

Gary Mercer received a B.A. in Business Administration in 1979 from Eastern Nazarene College and a B.S. in Funeral sciences in 2003 from the University of Central Oklahoma.

After 10 years as Dean of Admissions for Oklahoma City University School of Law, Gary joined the family business managing the Pre-Need Department of Mercer-Adams. Recognizing the fulfillment found in serving families, Gary went back to school to become a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. Upon the completion of his degree, Gary has worked with Mercer-Adams as a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer and in 2007 became President.

Gary’s community involvement has included past Church Board Member and Treasurer, Small Group Facilitator, 2005-2006 District 1 Chairman of the Oklahoma Funeral Director Association, 2009 Graduate of Leadership Northwest, Executive Board Member 2008 - 2013 of the NWOKC Chamber, serving as Chairman in 2012. He is currently a member of the Bethany First Church of the Nazarene, a member of the Choir, and Love Link Ministries Board Member and Treasurer.

Gary lives in Woodlawn Park with his wife Sunni and chocolate lab, Chester. They have two children and four grandchildren.

Tim Adams

Location Manager

Tim Adams is the managing funeral director and Licensee-in-charge. He has been with Mercer-Adams since 1993. He has been exposed to the funeral industry for most of his life. He grew up visiting his Uncle Gene Adams, co-founder, during holidays and weekends, while they lived in the funeral home. “The Adams family moved to Bethany in 1943. Granddad Adams brought the boys here to go to school at Bethany Peniel College. Gene Adams knew early that funeral directing and helping people in their most difficult time is what he was called to do…” While working nights and on weekends in the funeral home in college, I caught the vision of helping a grieving world. Tim is a life long resident of Bethany and attended Bethany Public Schools. After receiving a B.A. in History/ Business Management for Southern Nazarene University in 1986, he returned to higher education at University of Central Oklahoma. There he attained a B.S. in Funeral Service. Then went on to pass Funeral Service Examining Boards for the U.S. There gained the ability to practice in any state. He is married to Margaret Ann (Bundy) Adams. She is an elementary and mid-high choral music teacher at Bethany Public Schools. They have one daughter, McCall Adams, who is attending S.N.U. She is majoring in Bio/Chemistry with medicine and missions in mind. The Adams family attends Bethany First Church of the Nazarene. It is there that we are called to walk along with others through every stage in life. With that faith brings the mission of this funeral home to real, everyday life.

Amy Brown

Funeral Director

Amy Brown joined the Mercer-Adams team in September of 1995. Amy was at the University of Oklahoma in Edmond planning to pursue a degree in Nursing when she took a “Psychology of Grief” course. It was then that she felt the Lord’s direction to enter into Funeral Service. Amy’s gifts of mercy and service to others along with her attention to detail make the role of Funeral Director/Embalmer a natural fit. Immediately following graduation and National Board certification she was invited to join the staff at Gene Adams Funeral Service and counts it a privilege to have spent her entire career in a family owned, distinctly Christian funeral home. It is her desire to lighten the cumbersome load for families walking the painful journey of grief. Amy has been a member of the American Business Women’s Association, is a certified grief facilitator from the American Academy of Bereavement and has led Grief Share in various churches and volunteered as a facilitator at The Kid’s Place, a support center for grieving children & their families in Edmond, OK. Amy gives to her community through her local congregation, LifeChurch, where she is active, serving as a greeter, participating in local service projects and has a passion for missions, having traveled multiple times to Honduras to build homes and teach the children of the village about the love of Jesus. It is there that the Lord changed her definition of His love and selflessness and through the example of those children in poverty learned that joy is possible despite even the gravest of circumstances. As a result of these lessons Amy has recently opened her home as a foster parent to give of herself to children who desperately need loving attention.

Shannon Myott

Funeral Director

Shannon Myott grew up in Lawton, Oklahoma and graduated from Eisenhower High School in 2011. After graduation, Shannon went on to pursue her education at the University of Central Oklahoma, intending to go to school for Nursing, but knowing she had the compassion and heart to help people through the toughest trials of their lives. So, she switched majors and graduated in the Spring of 2017 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Funeral Service. She was a member of Sigma Phi Sigma Gamma Chapter while attending UCO. After graduation, Shannon joined the Mercer-Adams team as a full-time Funeral Director. She enjoys spending time with family, friends and her Bloodhound, Rusty, as well as being outdoors and traveling the world

Grace Holesapple

Funeral Director

Bruce Kelley

Retired Funeral Director

Bruce Kelley and his wife, Anita, have lived in Edmond for the past twenty-two years. A funeral director and embalmer for over 50 years, Bruce received his formal training at Central State University (UCO). He served in the Kansas Army National Guard from 1970-1976. The Kelley's raised their three children in Hutchinson, Kansas and are now proud grandparents of 3 grandchildren. Bruce and Anita attend North Church where Bruce is an elder.
In Kansas Bruce not only served families in his local community, but also his profession on a state level. He was the Kansas Eye Bank Outstanding Enucleator of the Year, recognizing his dedication in retrieving corneas for transplantation as well as his work to improve community awareness and education. Bruce was a member of the Disaster Committee for the Kansas Funeral Directors Association during one major tornado near Andover, Kansas. While in Oklahoma Bruce has been able to give back to his profession by mentoring and teaching students in the Funeral Service Department at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Nita Smith

Administrative Assistant

Debbie Zettlemoyer

Back Office Support

Cindy Kietzman

Administrative Assistant

Cindy joined the Mercer-Adams family in late 2014, first as part-time then later became our full-time front desk Concierge. She grew up in the Bethany area and graduated from Putnam City West High School and Oklahoma State University. To say she is a Cowboy fan would be an understatement.

Cindy is a longtime member of Bethany First Nazarene where she currently serves in children’s ministry. She has been married to Chuck since 1981. They have one daughter and three grandchildren who are the lights of her life and are responsible for her favorite role of Grammy. Cindy loves to serve others and considers it an honor to be in a position to assist families during their time of grief and loss.

We love Cindy’s energy and enthusiasm. She brings a shining light to Mercer-Adams every day.

Marsha Sharp

Evening/Weekend Concierge

Kristi Morris

Administrative Assistant

Donna Smith

Administrative Assistant

Larry Acosta

Ambassador

Don VanZant

Ambassador

Jon Mitts

Ambassador

Jimmie Keas

Ambassador

Jimmie Keas joined Mercer-Adams in December 2009, coming to us from Kansas. He is a graduate of Oklahoma Christian University. Jimmie has been a minister for the Churches of Christ for 60 years. He is married to Janet, the best baker around! Together they have four children and seven grandchildren. He enjoys gardening, especially growing okra (we love that he grows this, too) and especially loves his work helping with funerals, as he views it as an extension of ministry for the hurting. Jimmie is also a published author. During the COVID shutdown he wrote a book titled “Timely Timeless Truths."

Bill Kalfas

Ambassador

Bill Kalfas is the lead pastor at the Williams Church of the Nazarene in Bethany, where he and his wife, Sheila, have lived since 2010. Bill considers himself "a cactus-huggin' desert rat," having grown up in Phoenix, Arizona. Sheila and Bill have been married since 1988 and are the proud parents of three adult children: Christian and his wife, Maddie, Zechariah, and Hannah. Bill enjoys music and plays guitar and keyboards. A third-generation artist, Bill is a commissioned caricaturist. He began working with Mercer-Adams in the fall of 2010 and helps the funeral home with services, especially in the “behind-the-scenes” areas.

Ben Brown

Ambassador

Steve Hulsey

Ambassador

John Williamson

Ambassador

Terry Saunders

Funeral Assistant

Scott Burris

Advanced Funeral Planner

Marla Mercer-Cole

Former Owner/Grief Counselor

Marla Mercer Cole joined Mercer-Adams Funeral Service in February of 1998 with the purpose of developing a program to assist the families we have served after the funeral. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Eastern Nazarene College in 1980, and returned to school to earn a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology from Southern Nazarene University in 2000. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and her services are offered at no cost to families served by Mercer Adams. She maintains a private practice in Oklahoma City. Professional memberships include American Academy of Bereavement as a Certified Bereavement Facilitator, Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) where she has most recently achieved the status of Fellow in Thanatology: Death, Dying, and Bereavement, Oklahoma Counseling Association, Oklahoma Mental Health Counselors Association, and American Association of Christian Counselors. Upon her Dad’s retirement in 2006, Marla assumed the position of Vice President where she oversees Community and Public Relations, Marketing, and the AfterCare Program, which remains a significant priority. Marla continues to have a passion for walking alongside families after a loss, recognizing that while no one can walk that path for another, no one should walk it alone. She brings compassion and empathy in addition to training and professional skills to her work which she clearly views as a ministry she is proud Mercer Adams offers to grieving families. She and Tim, her husband of 40+ years, moved from Boston to Oklahoma where they live in Northwest Oklahoma City. Their two sons, along with their wives and children also live in the greater OKC metro area.

Gary Mercer

Retired - President/Funeral Director/Embalmer

Gary Mercer received a B.A. in Business Administration in 1979 from Eastern Nazarene College and a B.S. in Funeral sciences in 2003 from the University of Central Oklahoma.

After 10 years as Dean of Admissions for Oklahoma City University School of Law, Gary joined the family business managing the Pre-Need Department of Mercer-Adams. Recognizing the fulfillment found in serving families, Gary went back to school to become a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. Upon the completion of his degree, Gary has worked with Mercer-Adams as a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer and in 2007 became President.

Gary’s community involvement has included past Church Board Member and Treasurer, Small Group Facilitator, 2005-2006 District 1 Chairman of the Oklahoma Funeral Director Association, 2009 Graduate of Leadership Northwest, Executive Board Member 2008 - 2013 of the NWOKC Chamber, serving as Chairman in 2012. He is currently a member of the Bethany First Church of the Nazarene, a member of the Choir, and Love Link Ministries Board Member and Treasurer.

Gary lives in Woodlawn Park with his wife Sunni and chocolate lab, Chester. They have two children and four grandchildren.

Tim Adams

Location Manager

Tim Adams is the managing funeral director and Licensee-in-charge. He has been with Mercer-Adams since 1993. He has been exposed to the funeral industry for most of his life. He grew up visiting his Uncle Gene Adams, co-founder, during holidays and weekends, while they lived in the funeral home. “The Adams family moved to Bethany in 1943. Granddad Adams brought the boys here to go to school at Bethany Peniel College. Gene Adams knew early that funeral directing and helping people in their most difficult time is what he was called to do…” While working nights and on weekends in the funeral home in college, I caught the vision of helping a grieving world. Tim is a life long resident of Bethany and attended Bethany Public Schools. After receiving a B.A. in History/ Business Management for Southern Nazarene University in 1986, he returned to higher education at University of Central Oklahoma. There he attained a B.S. in Funeral Service. Then went on to pass Funeral Service Examining Boards for the U.S. There gained the ability to practice in any state. He is married to Margaret Ann (Bundy) Adams. She is an elementary and mid-high choral music teacher at Bethany Public Schools. They have one daughter, McCall Adams, who is attending S.N.U. She is majoring in Bio/Chemistry with medicine and missions in mind. The Adams family attends Bethany First Church of the Nazarene. It is there that we are called to walk along with others through every stage in life. With that faith brings the mission of this funeral home to real, everyday life.

Amy Brown

Funeral Director

Amy Brown joined the Mercer-Adams team in September of 1995. Amy was at the University of Oklahoma in Edmond planning to pursue a degree in Nursing when she took a “Psychology of Grief” course. It was then that she felt the Lord’s direction to enter into Funeral Service. Amy’s gifts of mercy and service to others along with her attention to detail make the role of Funeral Director/Embalmer a natural fit. Immediately following graduation and National Board certification she was invited to join the staff at Gene Adams Funeral Service and counts it a privilege to have spent her entire career in a family owned, distinctly Christian funeral home. It is her desire to lighten the cumbersome load for families walking the painful journey of grief. Amy has been a member of the American Business Women’s Association, is a certified grief facilitator from the American Academy of Bereavement and has led Grief Share in various churches and volunteered as a facilitator at The Kid’s Place, a support center for grieving children & their families in Edmond, OK. Amy gives to her community through her local congregation, LifeChurch, where she is active, serving as a greeter, participating in local service projects and has a passion for missions, having traveled multiple times to Honduras to build homes and teach the children of the village about the love of Jesus. It is there that the Lord changed her definition of His love and selflessness and through the example of those children in poverty learned that joy is possible despite even the gravest of circumstances. As a result of these lessons Amy has recently opened her home as a foster parent to give of herself to children who desperately need loving attention.

Shannon Myott

Funeral Director

Shannon Myott grew up in Lawton, Oklahoma and graduated from Eisenhower High School in 2011. After graduation, Shannon went on to pursue her education at the University of Central Oklahoma, intending to go to school for Nursing, but knowing she had the compassion and heart to help people through the toughest trials of their lives. So, she switched majors and graduated in the Spring of 2017 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Funeral Service. She was a member of Sigma Phi Sigma Gamma Chapter while attending UCO. After graduation, Shannon joined the Mercer-Adams team as a full-time Funeral Director. She enjoys spending time with family, friends and her Bloodhound, Rusty, as well as being outdoors and traveling the world

Grace Holesapple

Funeral Director

Bruce Kelley

Retired Funeral Director

Bruce Kelley and his wife, Anita, have lived in Edmond for the past twenty-two years. A funeral director and embalmer for over 50 years, Bruce received his formal training at Central State University (UCO). He served in the Kansas Army National Guard from 1970-1976. The Kelley's raised their three children in Hutchinson, Kansas and are now proud grandparents of 3 grandchildren. Bruce and Anita attend North Church where Bruce is an elder.
In Kansas Bruce not only served families in his local community, but also his profession on a state level. He was the Kansas Eye Bank Outstanding Enucleator of the Year, recognizing his dedication in retrieving corneas for transplantation as well as his work to improve community awareness and education. Bruce was a member of the Disaster Committee for the Kansas Funeral Directors Association during one major tornado near Andover, Kansas. While in Oklahoma Bruce has been able to give back to his profession by mentoring and teaching students in the Funeral Service Department at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Nita Smith

Administrative Assistant

Debbie Zettlemoyer

Back Office Support

Cindy Kietzman

Administrative Assistant

Cindy joined the Mercer-Adams family in late 2014, first as part-time then later became our full-time front desk Concierge. She grew up in the Bethany area and graduated from Putnam City West High School and Oklahoma State University. To say she is a Cowboy fan would be an understatement.

Cindy is a longtime member of Bethany First Nazarene where she currently serves in children’s ministry. She has been married to Chuck since 1981. They have one daughter and three grandchildren who are the lights of her life and are responsible for her favorite role of Grammy. Cindy loves to serve others and considers it an honor to be in a position to assist families during their time of grief and loss.

We love Cindy’s energy and enthusiasm. She brings a shining light to Mercer-Adams every day.

Kristi Morris

Administrative Assistant

Donna Smith

Administrative Assistant

Larry Acosta

Ambassador

Don VanZant

Ambassador

Jon Mitts

Ambassador

Jimmie Keas

Ambassador

Jimmie Keas joined Mercer-Adams in December 2009, coming to us from Kansas. He is a graduate of Oklahoma Christian University. Jimmie has been a minister for the Churches of Christ for 60 years. He is married to Janet, the best baker around! Together they have four children and seven grandchildren. He enjoys gardening, especially growing okra (we love that he grows this, too) and especially loves his work helping with funerals, as he views it as an extension of ministry for the hurting. Jimmie is also a published author. During the COVID shutdown he wrote a book titled “Timely Timeless Truths."

Bill Kalfas

Ambassador

Bill Kalfas is the lead pastor at the Williams Church of the Nazarene in Bethany, where he and his wife, Sheila, have lived since 2010. Bill considers himself "a cactus-huggin' desert rat," having grown up in Phoenix, Arizona. Sheila and Bill have been married since 1988 and are the proud parents of three adult children: Christian and his wife, Maddie, Zechariah, and Hannah. Bill enjoys music and plays guitar and keyboards. A third-generation artist, Bill is a commissioned caricaturist. He began working with Mercer-Adams in the fall of 2010 and helps the funeral home with services, especially in the “behind-the-scenes” areas.

Ben Brown

Ambassador

Steve Hulsey

Ambassador

John Williamson

Ambassador

Mary Cox

Advance Funeral Planner