Ralph A. Weaver; 80; of Belle Vernon (Fairhope); died Friday; July 20; 2007; in his home. A son of the late Jesse and Edna Bogard Weaver; he was born in Brave on Oct. 30; 1926. Ralph was a member of the United Christian Church; Malden Crossroads; California; Pa. He was the owner and operator of the Mon Valley Taxi Company until his retirement in 1990; and he was a U.S. Navy veteran; serving in the Pacific Theatre with the Little Beaver Squad aboard the USS Converse from April 1944 until his discharge in May 1946. Survivors include three daughters and one son-in-law; Kathi and Art Payne; of Hughesville; Md.; and Edna Miller and Christine Weaver; both of Belle Vernon; one son and daughter-in-law; Irwin and Elizabeth Weaver; of Clermont; Fla.; one sister; Willa Toelle; of Wismer; Neb.; three grandchildren; and a good friend; Wilma Weaver; of Belle Vernon. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by his fiancee; Deborah Sabo; and his twin brother; Raymond Weaver. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY INC.; (724-929-5300); 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon; www.fergusonfuneralhomeandcrematory.com. Funeral services will be in the funeral home on Tuesday; July 24 at 11:30 a.m. with Pastor Jana Quisenberry officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.
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John D. Lunt; 58; of Charleroi; died Thursday; July 19; 2007; in Mercy Hospital; Pittsburgh. A son of the late Rhuel and Gertrude Jane Smith Lunt; he was born in North Charleroi on April 6; 1949. Protestant by faith; John had resided in Charleroi for the past 10 years and had formerly lived in Fayette City. He was a former employee of the Allenport Plant of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Company and later was self employed as a contractor. Survivors include his wife; Kathi Waggoner Turkovich Lunt; one daughter; Tracy Lunt; of Donora; one son and daughter-in-law; John P. and Kathryn Lunt; of Donora; one step-son; Adam Turkovich; of Charleroi; one brother; James D. Lunt; of Las Vegas; Nev.; two sisters; Vivian Hoover; of California; Pa.; and Suzanne Duda; of Fayette City; one granddaughter; Brooke Blatney; and his first wife; Elaine Von Bergen; of Donora. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by four sisters; Sarah Byrne; Janice D. Smalley; Elaine Ambler and Ellen Smith; four brothers; Jay Smith; and Don; Art and William Lunt; and a step-son; Justin Turkovich. Friends will be received Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. 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 funeral home on Monday; July 23 at 10 a.m. with Pastor Brian Kisner of the Bread of Life Tabernacle; Uniontown; officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Vanessa Mullen O’Toole; 44; of Belle Vernon (Rostraver Township); died Wednesday; July 18; 2007; in UPMC-Shadyside; Pittsburgh. Born Oct. 23; 1962; in North Charleroi; she was the daughter of the late William T. and Geraldine Bonnell Mullen. A lifelong resident of Belle Vernon; Vanessa was the financial director for Rostraver Township; a member of the State Financial Directors Association; the Rotary book club; and she was a 2007 recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow. She is survived by her daughter; Meaghan O’Toole; of Tallahassee; Fla.; two brothers and a sister-in-law; William J. and Janet Mullen; of Georgia; and Raymond Mullen; of Bridgeport; Ohio; four sisters and brothers-in-law; Michele and Carl Cathers; of Smithton; Desiree and Ted Wells; of Fayette City; Felicia and David Kurilko; of California; and Celeste and Ted Wukovich Jr.; of Fallowfield Township; her loving companion; Donald Yoder; of Rostraver Township; along with Katie; Andy; and special grandson; Gavin. Visitation will be held Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 4 and 6 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; July 23; at 10 a.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. Conrad Aul of First Christian Church in Monessen officiating. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Members of the Belle Vernon Rotary Club will gather for services on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. in the funeral home. Condolences accepted for the family at the funeral home Web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com

John Spishock; 91; of Belle Vernon; died Wednesday; July 18; 2007; in Victoria House Personal Care Home. A son of the late John and Mary Varga Spishock; he was born in Rostraver Township (Pricedale) on Feb. 8; 1916. He was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church of Belle Vernon and a retired coal miner. John had owned and operated the Amoco Service Station in Pricedale and repaired televisions and radios for many years. Survivors include three daughters; Mary C. Palko; of Forest Hills; Karen DeAcebal; of Spain; and Donna Spishock; of Belle Vernon; one brother; Steve Spishock; of Pricedale; and four grandchildren; Jana; Alfredo; Ana and Juan. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by his wife; Marie Lowry Spishock; on Oct. 16; 1991; three sisters; Ilona Spishock; Helen Brand and Julia Spishock; and one brother; George Spishock. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY INC.; www.fergusonfuneralhomeandcrematory.com; (724-929-5300); 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon. A blessing service will be in the funeral home on Saturday; July 21; at 8:30 a.m.; followed by a Funeral Mass at 9 a.m. in St. Sebastian R.C. Church. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Jessie M. Destefano; 99; of Greensburg; formerly of Monessen; died Friday; July 13; 2007; in Redstone Highlands; Greensburg. She was born July 9; 1908; in Edinburgh; Scotland; a daughter of the late David and Nellie Thomson McAlpine. She was a member of the former Presbyterian Church of Monessen and had attended the United Methodist Church of Monessen. Mrs. Destefano spent most of her free time sewing and had taught sewing lessons. Surviving are a son; Jim Destefano and wife; Jean; of Morton; Ill.; three grandsons; Tom Destefano and wife; Merrie; of Santa Ana; Calif.; Bob Destefano; of Reno; Nev.; and Dan Destefano and wife; Liz; of Norfolk; Va.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her husband; James E. Destefano; and nine siblings. Friends will be received from 9 until 10 a.m. Tuesday; the time of service; at the RHOME FUNERAL HOME INC.; a Golden Rule Funeral Home; 1209 Grand Blvd.; Monessen. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Mrs. Destefano’s name may be made to Redstone Highlands.

Julia Lehosky Furio; 84; of Monessen; died Friday; July 6; 2007; in Mon Valley Hospital Inc. Born in Rostraver Township on Oct. 8; 1922; she was the daughter of the late Bertlan and Julia Haydu Lehosky. She was a graduate of Douglas Business School and California University of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Furio was a member of Epiphany of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church; where she served as a Eucharistic Minister. She was a life member of the Mon-Vale Hospital Auxiliary and a former board member of the Monessen Meals on Wheels program. Besides her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; Dr. Henry H. Furio; one sister; Ethel Graham; and a nephew; Mark Graham. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law; Bertlan and Mary Jayne Furio; of Rostraver Township; nieces; nephews and cousins. Friends will be received in the ROBERT A. BILLICK FUNERAL HOME INC.; Grand Boulevard and Marion Avenue; Monessen (724-684-3700); on Friday; July 13; from 10 a.m. to noon; the hour of service in the funeral home. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Leisa Ellen Smith-Shetterly; of Monessen; died suddenly on Saturday; July 7; 2007; at her home. Born Nov. 19; 1957; in the former Charleroi-Monessen Hospital in North Charleroi; she was the daughter of the late Marye Hill-Smith and Charles E. Smith. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; Craig Shetterly; and brother; Jeffrey Smitty Smith. Leisa was a lifelong resident of Monessen. She was a graduate of Monessen High School and Robert Morris College. Leisa had been employed at Mon Valley Hospital since 1979 until her death. She cared deeply about the patients she met; and many were touched by her sincerity and kept in contact with her after their release from the hospital. Her love; wit and laughing eyes will be sorely missed. She is survived by one sister; Myrna Smith-Garry; of Maryland; an aunt; Doris Lawson; of Charleroi; two nieces; Kelly Garry-Burks; of Maryland; and Kristen Smith; of Monongahela; three great-nieces; one great-nephew; and a host of other relatives and friends. Arrangements have been entrusted to the BEVERLY C. DRAPER FUNERAL HOME; 608 Sixth St.; Monessen (724-684-6242); where family and friends will be received Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home on Monday; July 16; at 11 a.m. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Mabel H. McGavitt Petro; 85; of Belle Vernon; entered into Eternal rest on Wednesday; July 11; 2007; with her loving family at her side in Jefferson Regional Medical Center; Pittsburgh (Pleasant Hills). She was born Aug. 31; 1921; in Coal Center; the daughter of the late George McGavitt and the late Henrietta Spiker McGavitt. Surviving are four daughters; Mabel (Ron) Perkins; of Belle Vernon; Mary Chimileski; of Coal Center; JoAnn Reeves; of Chalk Hill; and Patty Devine; of Belle Vernon; 21 grandchildren; and many great- and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husbands; Albert E. Lambert; Walter Gimbara and Nick Petro; four children; Dorothy Crawford; and George; Mike and Billy Lambert. Friends will be received in the ELEY-McCRORY FUNERAL HOME INC.; 334 Main St.; Fayette City; on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Monday; July 16; until 10:30 a.m.; at which time a Blessing Service will take place with the Rev. John Kluchko officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. For those unable to attend; on-line condolences will be accepted at the funeral home Web site; www.eleymccroryfuneralhome.com

George F. Hornbake; 78; of Belle Vernon (Rostraver Twp.); died Friday; July 13; 2007 at 12:40 am at Mon Valley Hospital; Carroll Twp.
Born October 27; 1928 in Rostraver Twp.; he was the son of the late Francis A. and Ethel Darker Hornbake.
A lifelong resident of Rostraver Twp.; Mr. Hornbake attended St. Sebastian R.C. Church; Belle Vernon
And was a retired millwright from Whg-Pgh Steel; Allenport Plant.
He is survived by his wife Norma Nagy Hornbake to whom he was married 58 years Daughter & son in law; Teresa & Alva Helms of Belle Vernon
3 Sons & daughters in law; George & Michele Hornbake of Ruffsdale; David & Susan Hornbake of Deemston; PA; James & Karen Hornbake of Belle Vernon
Brother & sister in law; Lawrence & Helen Hornbake of Lancaster
2 Sisters & Brother in law; Betty Maguire of Belle Vernon; Marcella & Walter Severyn of Pleasant Hills
2 Granddaughters; Tina Nowakowski of Belle Vernon and Heather Arment of Castle Shannon 2 Great grandsons Ronald and Joseph Nowakowski
He is preceded in death by a brother Robert Hornbake.
Visitation will be held Sunday from 2-4 & 7-9 PM at the Leonard J. Parzynski Funeral Home; Family Owned and Operated; 626 Broad Avenue; Belle Vernon 724-929-6183.
Services will be held Monday at the Leonard J. Parzynski Funeral Home at 10:00 AM with the Rev. Lawrence L. Manchas V.F. Pastor of St. Sebastian R.C. Church officiating.
Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Aldena C. Usher; 85; formerly of Elco; passed away peacefully on Tuesday; July 10; 2007; at the home of her daughter in Boardman; Ohio; where she had lived for the past 17 years. She was born Dec. 11; 1921; in Elco; a daughter of the late Earl and Gertrude Huhn Haywood. She was a former employee of Zelinski’s Bridal Shop; a former member of the Roscoe United Methodist Church and the Roscoe American Legion Auxiliary; Post 801; where she operated the Legion bingo parties for many years. Survivors include a daughter; Margaret (Tony) Jesko; of Boardman; two sons; Jack (Patty) Usher; of Stockdale; and William (Jean) Crawford; of North Fort Myers; Fla.; six grandchildren; Jennifer Workman; of Deerfield; Ohio; Anthony Jesko and Michael Jesko; of Boardman; Jeff Usher; of Garrattsville; N.Y.; Theresa Bransfield; of Bonita Springs; Fla.; and Erik Crawford; of North Fort Myers; Fla.; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; Gavin Crawford; two brothers; Edward Haywood; of Coraopolis; and Earl; of Boston; Mass.; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by a sister; Dolores Wehousie; and a brother; Dennis Haywood. Friends will be received Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the ED MELENYZER FUNERAL HOMES INC.; Roscoe; where funeral services will be held Friday; July 13; at 10 a.m. with Pastor Randy Landman officiating. American Legion Auxiliary services will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery. For those unable to attend; on-line condolences will be accepted at www.melenyzerfuneralhomes.com