Ralph Merle Bloom, Jr.

Our hearts are like stones as we tell the news of our “Pap” now sleeping in death. Truly an example of what has been dubbed “The Greatest Generation”, his love, care, guidance, humor, generosity and strong moral compass, by which our consciences were trained, will be sorely missed until we see him again. It seemed to us that, because of his strong love for our darling mother, he started towards this day three years ago when he lost her, his sweetheart in marriage of 59 years. Ralph was born on January 5, 1923 on his family’s farm near Elton, to Ralph M. and Grace B. (Miller) Bloom. He married the love of his life, Elaine (Manges) Bloom on May 7, 1955. He served in the Navy during World War II, operating heavy construction equipment as a Seabee in the Pacific, and since retirement, was rarely seen outside without his Seabee hat. He loved baseball and football, especially the Chicago Bears. He also never missed watching the Triple Crown races each year, as he himself had owned several race horses in the 1940s and ‘50s in the Cinncinnatti area. To many, he may best be remembered for his occupation of coal mining , because he owned and operated a one-man mine for 37 years and fought for the right to do so all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States. His fortitude in standing up for his beliefs was his hallmark and was recorded in many newspapers and on the radio show, Voice of America in the 1970’s. But to his family he will be  remembered for backyard baseball games, his "runny egg" performances, computer jeopardy contests, humorous stories, finding homes for stray pets, and his special care for family members who needed shelter through life’s hurdles. He loved God, was a student of the Bible, and looked forward to the time when he could see his wife, his son Bruce, and family and friends come back to life again at a time when they could live forever without suffering as promised in the Bible at Revelation 21:4. Preceded in death by his parents, wife, son Bruce Merle, brothers Leroy Bloom and Arthur (Marie) Bloom, sisters Millicent (Andy) Molchak, and Violet (Clyde) Thomas. He will be dearly missed by his younger sister Lois (James) Rodger, his son Dennis Bloom, daughter Linda (James) Greble and their daughters, Savannah (Reuben) Cardinal and Michaela Mason, his daughter Donna Coughenour and her children, Justin Mills, Nichole Mills, Robert Coughenour and Simone Coughenour, his 5 great grandchildren: Landon (son of Nichole), Addison and Reagan (twin daughters of Savannah and Reuben) and Sienna and Arya (daughters of Simone), sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law,  and many beloved nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends. He was especially close to his nephew Larry Bloom and his niece Becky (Smarsh) Fisher. Family are receiving friends from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at George E. Mason Funeral Home Inc., Davidsville followed by a graveside service at Richland Cemetery. There will also be a memorial talk given at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 103 Hillview St., Johnstown, by Andrew Morbito. 

Memorial contributions may be given to the Humane Society of Somerset County, 204 Whitetail Rd., Somerset, PA (Somersetpets.com) or the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 103 Hillview St, Johnstown, PA 15905. (Jw.org) 

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