Helen A. Venneri Thieser; 92; of Belle Vernon; passed away Tuesday; February 19; 2008; in Victoria House 3; Monessen. Born October 26; 1915; in Belle Vernon; she was the daughter of the late Charles and Jennie Spadafore Venneri. A lifelong resident of Belle Vernon; Mrs. Thieser was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church in Belle Vernon; a graduate of Belle Vernon High School class of 1934; and she worked as a postal clerk at the Belle Vernon Post Office for many years. She also was a member of the former Belle Vernon American Legion Post 659 Ladies Auxiliary; an honorary member of the 99th Infantry Division Association and the National AARP. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law; Charlene and Leonard Povrzenich; of Belle Vernon; two granddaughters; Jill Moody and husband; Ray; of Belle Vernon; and Stacey Povrzenich; of West Newton; two great- grandchildren; Hunter and Tanner Moody; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; George J. Thieser; on Feb. 23; 1981; and two brothers William Ducky Venneri and Eugene Vic Venneri. Visitation will be held Thursday; February 21; from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the LEONARD J. PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME; family owned and operated; 626 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon (724- 929-6183). Services will be held Friday; February 22; at 10 a.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. Lawrence L. Manchas; pastor of St. Sebastian R.C. Church; officiating. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Members of St. Sebastian parish will pray the rosary for the departed soul of Helen Thieser on Thursday at 3 p.m. in the funeral home. Condolences accepted for the family at the funeral home Web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com

Thais Margaret Fowler; 90; of Elco; was called by God to take her home with the angels on Sunday; February 17; 2008. She was a member of the Roscoe Presbyterian Church; the American Legion Auxiliary; Post 801; and a 1935 graduate of California Area High School; where she served as treasurer and secretary of the Reunion Committee. Thais; a 70-year resident of Elco; known to all as just Ma ; was born October 3; 1917; and raised in Stockdale. She was a daughter of the late Viola Moore and Jerry Gollick and was one of the last remaining Stockdale families for which the town was named. Thais was married to Robert G. Fowler; who died in 1972 and who served as Chief of Police in Elco until his illness. Thais was a lifelong caregiver; not only for her husband; Bob; for 21 years; but; after his death; she cared for several other area people until she needed the care. Thais was loved and will be dearly missed by her daughter; Wendy Fowler Bielawski; with whom she resided; and her son; Robert G. Fowler Jr.; of Roscoe; grandson; John Robert Bielawski and wife; Jennifer; great-granddaughters; Emily Megan and Sarah Elizabeth Bielawski; all of California; Pa.; and five grandchildren in the Tacoma; Wash.; area; Richard Fowler and wife; Jennifer; Pam; John; Jim and Mike Fowler; one nephew; William Hess and wife; Nancy; of McMurray; and a special loving friend; Tammy Lynn Vadella; of Roscoe. In addition to her parents and husband; she was preceded in death by an infant son; J. Thomas Fowler; a step-son; Robert Lee Fowler; and her loving aunt and best friend; Irene Hess. Friends will be received Wednesday; February 20; from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the ED MELENYZER FUNERAL HOMES INC.; Roscoe (724- 938-9323); where American Legion services will be held at 6 p.m. Funeral services will be held Thursday; February 21; at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with Pastor Randy Landerman of Grace United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery. On-line condolences will be accepted at www.melenyzerfuneralhomes.com

Margaret D. Krivda Baran; 89; of Fayette City (Gillespie); died Friday; February 15; 2008; at 1:01 p.m. at Havencrest Nursing Home; Carroll Township; surrounded by her loving children. Born December 25; 1918; in Gillespie; she was the daughter of the late George and Anna Glaisa Krivda. A lifelong resident of Gillespie; Mrs. Baran was a homemaker and a member of Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church in Fayette City and its Christian Mothers and Rosary Society. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law; Paul and Donna Baran; of Belle Vernon; four daughters and three sons-in-law; Dolores Dee and Matthew G. Blatnik; of Pittsburgh; Regina and Stephen Angelo; of Belle Vernon; Diane Porter; of Mapleview (Charleroi); and Kathleen and Bruce Solomon; of Belle Vernon; eight grandchildren; Deanne Cunningham; Joseph Blatnik; Kristen Cooney; Tracie Flack; Eric Porter; Jason Solomon; Brian Solomon and Joshua Baran; 10 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; Paul J. Baran; in 1977; three brothers; Joseph Krivda; Frank Krivda and Florian Krivda; three sisters; Anna Pendro; Agnes Bowers and Emily Krivda; one grandson; George Blatnik; and one son-in-law; Glenn Porter. Visitation will be held Sunday; February 17; from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the LEONARD J. PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME; family owned and operated; 626 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon (724-929-6183). A Prayer Service will be held Monday; February 18; at 11:45 a.m. in the funeral home; followed by a Funeral Mass at 12:30 p.m. in Holy Spirit R.C. Church; Fayette City; with the Rev. Lawrence L. Manchas as celebrant. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Condolences accepted for the family at the funeral home Web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com

Nicholas Nick Muryn; 88; of Belle Vernon; Washington Township; died Friday; Nov. 5; 2010; at 2:08 a.m.; in Kindred Hospital; Pittsburgh. Born Dec. 11; 1921; in Monessen; he was a son of the late Stephen and Anna Kudlik Muryn. A lifelong resident of Belle Vernon; Mr. Muryn was a member of Lynnwood Lutheran Church; owned and operated Muryn Construction Co. for 47 years in the Mon Valley; and was a member of the Carpenters Union. He was a World War II veteran; having served with the Navy as a pilot and trainer on Navy aircraft carriers; was a former member of the Tri-County Masonic Lodge 643 F&AM; and enjoyed dancing and playing golf. He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law; Marc and Karen Muryn; of Eighty Four; and a daughter and son-in-law; Karen and Randy Brown; of Belle Vernon. He was preceded in death by his wife; Elizabeth R. Betty Grimm Muryn; on June 16; 2006; four brothers; John; Walter; Charles and Stephen Muryn; and a sister; Mary Price. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the LEONARD J. PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME; Family Owned and Operated; 626 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon; 724-929-6183. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in the funeral Home with Pastor Jack Hernstrom; of Lynnwood Lutheran Church; officiating. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Condolences accepted at the funeral home’s website; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.

Dorothy G. Brant; 74; of Belle Vernon (Washington Township); passed away Wednesday; February 13; 2008; after a short illness. She was born in Connellsville on December 12; 1933; to Joseph and Catherine Yenchick Gantner. She was the loving and devoted wife of Dalton L. Brant for 53 years; the loving mother of Dena Brant; of Middlebourne; W.Va.; Donna and Roy Schmoutz; of Franklin; Pa.; and the late Debra Huffman; and the proud grandmother of Christopher Schmoutz; of Shreveport; La.; Seth Huffman; of Akron; Ohio; and Rachael Schmoutz; of Franklin; Pa. Mrs. Brant graduated from Marion High School in 1951 and was the secretary of the new Belmar High School from 1951 to 1953; bookkeeper for the United Way and a caseworker aide for the United Health Services. She was a member of the Fayette City United Methodist Church; where she was active as a youth leader; Sunday school teacher and Administrative Board Chairman. Mrs. Brant was a charter member of the Young Adult Sunday School Class; as well as various other positions. She also volunteered a considerable amount of time to the Girl Scouts as a troop leader and District chairman; the Mon- Vale Health Resources and the National Campers and Hiker Association (NCHA) as field directors; State chaplain and first president of the Yough-a-Mons camping club and member of the B-TRAP camping club. Mrs. Brant was the recipient of the National Humanitarian Award. She was actively involved with the Belle Vernon Assembly No. 137; International Order of Rainbow for Girls; as Mother Advisor; board president and member of the advisory board. Mrs. Brant was the proud recipient of the Grand Cross of Color. As a member of the Order of Eastern Star; she was a Past Matron of Monongahela Chapter No. 108; a past Grand Representative to Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia; and a past District Deputy Grand matron. Her interests included camping; baking; sewing; reading; playing cards; gardening; traveling and spending time with her family and friends. She is also survived by brothers; Eugene Gantner; John (Enid) Gantner; Robert (Patricia) Gantner; and Thomas (Elizabeth) Gantner; sisters; Gloria Pansino; Alvera (Steven) Yoney; and Shirley Gantner; sisters-in-law; Ardith (Robert) Hamilton; and Joan Elgin; son-in-law; Robert Huffman; and many wonderful nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one brother and sister; Edward Gantner and Deloris Tucker Ritenour. Visitation will be held Saturday; February 16; from 7 to 9 p.m. and Sunday; February 17; from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the LEONARD J. PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME; family owned and operated; 626 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon (724-929-6183). Services will be held Monday; February 18; in the funeral home at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Gene Stollings and Rev. Brice King of United Methodist Church of Fayette City co- officiating. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The Monongahela Order of Eastern Star Chapter 108 will conduct services on Sunday at 7 p.m. in the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions be made in memory of Dorothy Brant to Fayette Home Care and Hospice or the American Cancer Society. Condolences accepted for the family at the funeral home Web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com

Irene Swiantek; 92; of Perryopolis; Pa.; died Wednesday; February 13; 2008; in Mt. Macrina Manor; Uniontown. She was born April 21; 1915; in Washington Township; Fayette County; a daughter of the late Louis Klinsky and the late Elizabeth Fesco Klinsky. She was a member of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Perryopolis. The family would like to thank the staffs at Mt. Macrina Manor; Albert Gallatin Hospice and Twin Oaks Home Care for the excellent care given to Irene during her illness. Surviving are two sons; Dennis P. (Glenda) Swiantek; of Wichita; Kan.; and Raymond (Melissa) Swiantek; of Perryopolis; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; Raymond P. Swiantek; grandson; Pvt. Daniel C. Swiantek; and four sisters; Elizabeth; Sue; Helen and Jenitte; and one brother; Louis. Friends will be received in the ELEY-McCRORY FUNERAL HOME INC.; 334 Main St.; Fayette City (724-326-5621); on Friday; February 15; from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.; and Saturday; February 16; until 9:30 a.m.; when a blessing services will take place; followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church; Perryopolis; with the Rev. Robert Lubic officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Eunice Kendrick Giles; 80; of Mapleview (Charleroi); died Saturday; February 9; 2008; in the emergency room at Mon Valley Hospital. She was born November 19; 1927; in Charleroi; the daughter of the late John Joseph and Mary Coleman Kendrick. Eunice was a 1945 graduate of Charleroi High School and received her bachelor of science degree in dietetics from Carlow University and completed her internship at (UPMC) Montefiore Hospital in Pittsburgh. She was legend in dietetics; an outstanding career which consisted of 40 years with the Veterans Administration as Chief of Dietetic Service in Syracuse; N.Y.; Philadelphia; Coatesville; Dayton; Ohio; and Pittsburgh. Mrs. Giles was on the Speakers Bureau for Ross Laboratories nationwide as a lecturer; publications; radio and TV media. She represented the USA at the International Congress of Dietetics in Sydney; Australia; in 1977; where she presented her publication in Audiology. Eunice was a renowned teacher; coordinating the undergraduate dietetic programs at Syracuse University. She was a member of Mary; Mother of the Church Parish in Charleroi; the Catholic Women’s College Club; where she was an officer and former president; an active member of her class reunion committee; the American Dietetic Association and the Pittsburgh Dietetic Association; where she was a recipient of many awards; including outstanding dietician for the Philadelphia Dietetic Association and the Woman of Spirit for Carlow University. Surviving are several cousins. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; Floyd Lee Giles; in 2007; who was her sweetheart since grade school. There will be no public visitation at Eunice’s request. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday; February 14; at 10:30 a.m. in Mary; Mother of the Church with her pastor; the Rev. David F. Dzermejko; officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Everyone is asked to go directly to the church. Arrangements are being handled by the CARL J. SPALLINO FUNERAL HOME; Charleroi.

Mary Stone Jupin; 84; of Belle Vernon; died Monday; February 11; 2008; in Meadowcrest Nursing Home; Bethel Park. A daughter of the late Scott and Olive Harger Stone; she was born in Meadville on August 20; 1923. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Belle Vernon. A lifelong resident of Belle Vernon; Mary had many friends and loved playing bingo and cards; the more the merrier. She had been employed as a licensed practical nurse at the former Charleroi- Monessen Hospital for 17 years and worked at the Belle Vernon Kmart store for several years. Survivors include two daughters and sons-in- law; Sandy DeeDee and David Bergstedt; of Monessen; and Janet and Jerry Falibota; of Frederick; Md.; two sons and daughters-in-law; George E. and Cathy Jupin; of Tarpon Springs; Fla.; and Scott and Janice Jupin; of Belle Vernon; 12 grandchildren; Meri Labick and husband; John; of Latrobe; Jill Apel and husband; Steve; of Tarpon Springs; Dana Bergstedt; of Ashville; N.C.; Heidi Niesen and husband; Doug; of Venetia; Tippi Dolfi and husband; Derrick; of Rostraver Township; Keri Jupin; of Tarpon Springs; David Bergstedt and wife; Dana; of Monessen; Danny Jupin; of Tarpon Springs; Shane Falibota and wife; Becky; of Frederick; Md.; Shelley Falibota and fiance; Michael; of Chevy Chase; Md.; and Scott and Zachary Jupin; of Belle Vernon; 10 great- grandchildren; Natalie Dolfi; Wil Niesen; Alexis Apel; Ashley Dolfi; Tommy Labick; Ben Niesen; Rylie Dolfi; Rachael Niesen; Michael Apel and Victoria Bergstedt; and two lifelong friends; Margaret Delores Modrak and Agnes Krivyanek. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; George Jupin; on May 13; 1966; and one brother; Vincent Stone. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday; February 13; in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY INC.; www.fergusonfuneralhomeandcrematory.com; (724- 929-5300); 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon. Funeral services will be in the First Presbyterian Church on Thursday; February 14; at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Suzanne Currie officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The elders and members of the First Presbyterian Church will meet in the funeral home to hold services Wednesday at 2 p.m.

Eloise Ann Brown Johnston; 65; of Belle Vernon; unexpectedly passed away to be with the Lord on Monday; February 11; 2008. Born July 23; 1942; in Charleroi; she was the daughter of the late Steven and Elizabeth Nagy Brown. A resident of Pricedale (Rostraver Township) all her life; she owned and operated Eloise’s Beauty Salon for 45 years until her recent retirement last fall. Mrs. Johnston was a member of Pricedale Union Church. Eloise was a very loving and generous mother; grandmother and friend who enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She will be deeply and sadly missed by all who knew and loved her. Left to cherish her memory is her daughter; Pam Hollick and husband; Ralph; of Belle Vernon; son; James Johnston and wife; Renee; of Darragh; grandson; Anthony Charles Johnston; brother; Joseph Brown and wife; Dolly; of Belle Vernon; dear friend; Dennis Ferencz; of Belle Vernon; sister-in-law; Lora Lee Triggiani; of Belle Vernon; several cousins; nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents; Eloise was preceded in death by her husband; Charles Johnston; in 1997. Visitation will be held Tuesday; February 12; from 6 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday; February 13; from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the LEONARD J. PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME; family owned and operated; 626 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon (724-929-6183). Services will be held Thursday; February 14; in the funeral home at 10 a.m. with the Rev. James J. Mimidis of Pricedale Union Church officiating. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Condolences accepted for the family at the funeral home Web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com