A former Coaldale resident has been appointed managing editor of The Mercury, a 30,000 circulation morning newspaper in Pottstown, Montgomery County.

Robert J. Urban, 31, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank W. Urban, 254 Sixth Street, Coaldale, was appointed to the position by Charles Hewitt, editor.

A former sports writer for the Tamaqua Courier, Urban has been a member of The Mercury editorial staff for the past nine years and has served as city editor since 1968.

A graduate of Coaldale High School, he attended Bloomsburg State College.

He is married to the former Mary Sweeney, daughter of Mrs. Helen Sweeney of 620 East Bertsch Street, Lansford. The couple has two sons, Michael, 7, and James, 4-1/2.