ralpheverettcoleman

Ralph Everett Coleman

Ralph Everett Coleman, 56, of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, departed this world, and stepped into eternity on March 18, 2008. He was born in Sparta, Wisconsin, on June 5, 1951, to Everett P. and Shirley Coleman. The family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, when Ralph was 18 months old. He lived there until graduation from high school.

In the early 1970’s, Ralph worked on the Great Lakes ore boats, and served aboard the Edmund Fitzgerald. At the age of 27, due to his deep and heartfelt patriotic fervor, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He was honorably discharged from the Yuma Marine Corps Air station after serving four years in the Corps as an electrical equipment specialist.

After his discharge from the military, his love of the American West found him living for many years to come in the Southwest; between California, Arizona, Nevada and Texas. In 1990, Ralph settled in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, where his love of travel lead him to a career as a professional truck driver for Forward Air.

Ralph was a brilliant man with many and varied interests including fishing, motorcycling and gun collecting. He was an excellent artist, guitarist and blues harmonica player. His love of life, quick wit and astonishing sense of humor were incomparable and will be deeply missed by all his friends and family.

Ralph is survived by his mother, Shirley A. Coleman of McKeesport, Pennsylvania; and his father, Everett P. Coleman (Virginia), of Avon, Ohio. His surviving children include his daughter, Papillion D. of Chicago, Illinois, and his sons Carl of McKeesport, PA, Edward of Phoenix, AZ, and Anthony of McKeesport, PA. Ralph was preceded in death by his youngest daughter, Kathryn, age 10, on September 11, 2007. Also surviving are a brother, Quintrus M. of Reno, NV, and a sister, Kathryn Brinkley (Dannion), Las Vegas, NV, along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and his dog, Penny.

Memorial Services, to celebrate Ralph’s life, followed by Military Honors, will be held at the Hunter Funeral Home, Inc., 1600 Coursin Street, McKeesport, Pennsylvania, on April 10, 2008, at 10:00 AM with the Rev. John Gropp officiating, and visitation one hour prior to the service.