Ralph Mercante, Jr.

Ralph Mercante, Jr., 85, of Marianna, died Thursday, June 23, 2016, in the Washington Hospital. He was born November 15, 1930, in Marianna, a son of Ralph and Carmella Marone Mercante. Mr. Mercante was a member of First Christian Church of Marianna. He worked as a coal miner at Marianna Mine 58 for 40 years. An outdoorsman, he enjoyed gardening and hunting. On May 18, 1948, he married Edythe “Edie” Pitcock, who survives. Also surviving are four daughters, Barbara (Samuel) Staley and Linda (Duane) Piatt, both of Marianna, Victoria (George) Goroncy of Scenery Hill and Tina Cecchine of Marianna; two brothers, Robert (Mona) Mercante and Anthony (Donna) Mercante, both of Marianna; a sister, Betty Girdish of Marianna; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Deceased is a sister, Mary Cicci. Friends will be received on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 11 a.m, Monday, June 27th. Burial will follow in Horn Cemetery, Marianna.