Ralph E. Hoyt, Jr., 12 Nora St., Clark, PA, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday evening, September 25, 2012, in UPMC Horizon Hospital, Farrell, of complications from surgery. He was 78. Mr. Hoyt was born March 25, 1934 in Canton, Ohio a son of Ralph E. Hoyt, Sr. and Margaret Findley Hoyt. He moved to the area in the late 1940's and was a 1952 graduate of Sharon High School. Ralph was employed locally by Bell Telephone for 28 years and retired in 1984 from Pacific Bell in California. Following his retirement he returned to the Shenango Valley and worked for five years at Gray Communications. He was a social member of the American Legion and VFW and was an avid euchre player and Cleveland Brown fan. Ralph enjoyed golfing and bowling and was a member of Fred Tonty's golf league at the Hickory VFW Golf Course, Hermitage, and a bowling league at Reynold's Bowling Lanes in Transfer, PA. He also served as a Cub Scout leader in Sharpsville for many years. His wife, the former Nancy A. Alfredo, whom he married October 18, 1979, passed away May 31, 2008. Surviving are: a daughter, Debra Bindas and her husband Michael, Leesburg, Virginia; two sons, Raymond Hoyt, San Dimas, California; and Bill Hoyt, at home; a step-daughter, Wendy Scheidemantle and her companion Donald Vitello, Sharon; a step-son, Scott Scheidemantle, at home; seven grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; a sister, Dolly Ako and her husband Mel, Warren, Ohio; a niece and nephew; and his former wife, the former Donna Genger. Besides his wife, Ralph was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Humane Society of Mercer County, 3005 E. State St., Hermitage, PA 16148; or to a charity of the donor's choice. Calling hours will be today, September 28, 2012, in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Friends may email condolences by visiting www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, September 29, 2012, in the funeral home. Interment: St. Mary's Cemetery, Hermitage.