Ralph Mercer

Ralph Mercer, 83, Jamestown, ND, formerly of Wahpeton, ND, died Tuesday, October 4, 2005 at his home in Jamestown.
Ralph H. Mercer was born March 16, 1922 in Jefferson County, Alabama, the son of Jesse and Clifford (Crane) Mercer. He was raised in Jefferson County and attended school in Birmingham, Alabama. In March of 1940, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he served in both the Atlantic and Pacific. On May 12, 1945, he married Mary Olson at Seattle, WA. After his discharge from the Navy in April of 1946, he and Mary moved to Wahpeton, ND where he worked for Sturdevant's as a mechanic. In 1951, they moved to Birmingham, AL, where he worked for Brownell Pontiac until 1957. The family returned to Wahpeton, ND in 1957 and Ralph worked for Smith Motors and later Sturdevant's, retiring in 1985. After Mary's death in June of 2000, he moved to Jamestown, ND.
Ralph was a member of The Basilica Of St. James, a lifetime member of the Wahpeton VFW and a lifetime member of the NRA.
Survivors include 6 children: Jane (Gene) Potter, Minot, ND; Patty (Glenn) VanEnk, Fargo, ND; Kathy (Ron) Venjohn, Jamestown, ND; Ann (Larry) Weisz, Northwood, ND; Carol (Dwight) Ova, Arlington, WA; Ralph Mercer, Ada, MN; 15 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 1 brother, Jay (Joy) Mercer, Birmingham, AL; and 2 sisters: Doris (Norman) Shook, Alabama and Pat (Dan) Bauer, Georgia.
He was preceded in death by his parents, 4 sisters and 2 brothers.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the North Dakota Veteran's Cemetery, Mandan, ND.
Funeral - 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 10, 2005 at The Basilica Of St James, Jamestown, ND
Interment - 2:00 p.m. Monday, October 10, 2005 at the North Dakota Veteran's Cemetery, Mandan, ND