Walter S. ‘Sonny’ Cwiakala; 77; of Belle Vernon; died Tuesday; Jan. 20; 2009; in Meadowcrest Nursing Home; Bethel Park. A son of the late Walter and Elizabeth Ruthovsky Cwiakala; he was born in Monessen on Jan. 2; 1932. He was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church of Belle Vernon and the former Holy Spirit Church in Fayette City. Formerly of Monessen; Sonny had resided in Belle Vernon for the past 34 years; was a U.S. Army veteran and retired in 1993 from the Allenport plant of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Company. Survivors include his wife of 34 years; Nancy Shaffer DeSimone Cwiakala; three daughters and two sons-in-law; Susan and Frank Szczerva; of West Chester; Vicky DeSimone and friend Reggie Sepesy; of Monessen; and Patty and Tim Byrne; of Belle Vernon; one sister and brother-in-law; Patty and Richard Travalena; of Perryopolis; four grandchildren; Staci and Frankie Szczerva and Jessica and Joe (Jr.) Cervantes; a close cousin; Gloria Snyder and husband George; of Monessen; and his loving pet; Buddy. Friends will be received 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY INC.; 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon (724-929-5300); www.fergusonfuneralhomeandcrematory.com. A blessing service will be in the funeral home Friday; Jan. 23; at 9:30 a.m.; followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Sebastian R.C. Church with Rev. Lawrence Manchas; VF; as celebrant. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The rosary will be prayed in the funeral home on Thursday at 3 p.m. led by members of St. Sebastian Parish.