Mr. Joseph F. Mercer Jr. 53, of Woodbridge, VA died Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington, VA, after an apparent heart attack.

Joe was born in Altoona, Pa on December 23, 1965, son of the late Joseph F. and Ida B. (Johnson) Mercer Sr. He married Catherine J. Black March 12, 1986 in Arlington, VA.

He was Director of Accountability and Quality Assuance at Arlington National Cemetery. He previously served as Arlington Cemetery Rpresentative, then Interment Supervisor.

He was former member of Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Altoona, Pa.

Joe was 1984 graduate of Altoona Area High School. He enjoyed history and Arlington National Cemetery.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Gulf War in the Third Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Ft. Myer, VA.

In addition to his wife he is survived by his mother and 2 children Meggan C. (Franco) Pontillo, of Orlando, FL; and Christopher M. Mercer, of Denver, CO; 3 siblings Debra A. Leberfinger, of Altoona, Pa; Brian P. Mercer of Ellwood City, Pa and Wendy M. (Butch) Bougher, of Duncansville, Pa.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, Oct19, 2019 at Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona, Pa with Msgr. Stanley B. Carson officiating.

Committal Rites will be held at Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, VA.

There will be no public visitation.

Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life at 4:00 P.M. Saturday at the Unter Uns Society, 1407 Van Buren Ave. Altoona.