Mildred Miller Ward; 90; of Wallingford; formerly of Belle Vernon; died Friday; June 22; 2007. A daughter of the late Joseph and Mary Walkush; she was born in Belle Vernon on Dec. 5; 1916. Mildred resided in Belle Vernon until 1970; when she moved to Pittsburgh where she resided until moving to Wallingford in 2003. She was a member of St. John Chrysoston of Wallingford and was a speech and hearing teacher in the Pittsburgh School District. Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law; William Buzz and Marsha Miller; of Wallingford; two brothers; Joseph and Melvin Walkush; and one sister; Cecelia Sweitzer; all of Belle Vernon; three grandchildren; Lori Miller and husband Barrett; of Chicago; Ill.; William Buzz Miller Jr. and wife Suzanne; of Pittsburgh; and Robert Miller and wife Angela; of Alameda; Calif.; and three great-grandchildren; Henry and Stella Barrett and Tatum Miller. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her first husband; William W. Miller; in 1967; and her second husband; LeRoy Ward; in 2006; seven sisters; Edith Walkush; Helen McCollough; Frances Curcio; Irene Boyd; Anna Moxin; Mary Alteri and Augustine Ezolt; and one brother; Carl Walkush. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY INC.; www.fergusonfuneralhomeandcrematory.com; (724-929-5300); 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon. A prayer service will be in the funeral home on Tuesday; June 26; at 9:30 a.m.; followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; Belle Vernon. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The rosary will be prayed in the funeral home on Monday at 3 p.m.; led by members of St. Sebastian parish.

Paul A. Lape; 87; of St. Cloud; Fla.; formerly of Rostraver Township; passed away Friday; June 1; 2007. He was born April 24; 1920; the son of Harry and Mary Evans Lape of Charleroi. Paul was employed at the Monessen works of Pittsburgh Steel prior to entering the armed forces. He became a distinguished and decorated soldier during World War II; having served in the 1st Division 16th Infantry Service Corps (Big Red One) and was very proud of having served under Major General Terry Allen. Paul fought at the Battle of the Bulge in Ardennes; on the beaches of Normandy; in Algeria; French Morocco; Tunisia; Sicily; Rhineland (Germany) and Central Europe. For his efforts he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal; Good Conduct Medal; Distinguished Unit Badge with one Oak Leaf Cluster; European Service Medal; African Service Medal; Middle Eastern Service Medal with eight Bronze Stars and one Bronze Arrowhead; and lapel button for expert marksmanship. After his discharge on Sept. 18; 1945; he returned home to marry Irene Simko of Fayette City. They built a home in the Cedar Creek area of Rostraver Township where they raised to children; Linda and Terry. Paul continued to work for Pittsburgh Steel as a welder for 40 years until his retirement. Several years after his retirement; Irene passed away and Paul followed their dream to spend their retirement days in Florida. He moved to St. Cloud; where he lived until his demise. Paul is survived by his daughter Linda Kincel and husband David; of Penn Hills; his son; Terry Lape and wife Susan; of Belle Vernon; five grandchildren; Ben (Heather) Kincel; Samantha Kincel (fiance Dr. David Cohen) and Dr. Nate Kincel; and Angel (Tom) Gulick and Jena (Jared) Candelore; and three great-granddaughters; Kayla and Michelle Gulick and Julianna Candelore. Paul’s remains will be interred at the Belle Vernon Cemetery will full military honors. A military service will be conducted by representatives of American Legion Posts 295; 940; 838 and 275 at the Belle Vernon Cemetery Chapel on Saturday; June 23 at 9:30 a.m.

John Moe Marasco; 80; of Belle Vernon; died Friday; June 15; 2007 in Mercy Hospital; Pittsburgh. A son of the late Frank and Philomena Ruggiero Marasco; he was born in Belle Vernon on Dec. 19; 1926. He was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; the Musical Society; American Legion Post 659; the Belle Vernon Moose and the East Belle Vernon Athletic Association. John retired in 1982 from the Allenport plant of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Company and was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. Survivors include one sister; Gilda Marasco; of Belle Vernon; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by six sisters; Mary Spina; Rose Checchi; Margaret Duronio; Teresa Menzel; Josephine Jarouse and Teresina Marasco; and one brother; D. Chester Marasco. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday 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 Monday; June 18 at 9:30 a.m. followed by a funeral mass at 10 a.m. in St. Sebastian R.C. Church. Entombment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Members St. Sebastian parish will meet in the funeral home to pray the rosary on Sunday at 3 p.m.; and the Belle Vernon American Legion will meet to hold services Sunday at 7 p.m.

Elizabeth Libby Behanna; 92; of Belle Vernon; formerly of Monessen; died Wednesday; June 13; 2007 in Westmoreland Manor; Greensburg. She was born Feb. 10; 1915 in Monessen; a daughter of Michael Joseph and Anna Abraham Joseph. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Monessen. Mrs. Behanna was an employee of School District of the City of Monessen; having worked as a cafeteria supervisor prior to her retirement. Surviving are her daughter; Celia A. Davis and husband Lawrence R. Beans ; of Rostraver Township; six grandchildren; Leslie McInerney and husband Jeff; Jodie Pepin and husband David; Lynn Davis; Thomas Monack; Sheri Monack and Jerrie Lynne Batdorf and husband Johnathan; and great-grandchildren; Jeffrey; Ryan; Amy; Andrew and Sean; and sister; Helen Pokomo; of Charleroi. Preceding her in death were her husband; Noah Behanna; son; Gerald Behanna; daughter; Joyce Richie; sisters; Mary Baker; Martha Mallino and Gladys Mourier; and brothers; Joseph; Paul and Albert Joseph. Friends will be received Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the RHOME FUNERAL HOME INC.; a Golden Rule funeral home; 1209 Grand Blvd.; Monessen. Additional visitation will be held Saturday; June 16 in the parlor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church from 9 to 11 a.m.; the time of service with Pastor Christine Ingold officiating. Those attending the funeral services are asked to meet at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Cleo Angeline; 83; of Monessen; died Tuesday; June 12; 2007. She was born Sept. 11; 1923; a daughter of the late Henry and Hazel Matthews. Mrs. Angeline was a member of Epiphany of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church of Monessen. Surviving are two daughters; Mrs. John (Kathy) Badzik; of Arizona; and Joni Destefano; of Perryopolis; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her husband; Silvio Angeline; two sons; James and Bruce Angeline; and a brother; William Matthews. Friends will be received Friday from 9 to 11 a.m.; the time of service in the chapel at RHOME FUNERAL HOME INC.; a Golden Rule Member; 1209 Grand Blvd.; Monessen. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Matthew E. Stefanick; 79; of North Belle Vernon; went to be with his wife in Heaven on Tuesday; June 12; 2007; at 4:50 p.m. in Mon Valley Hospital; Carroll Township. Born Sept. 11; 1927; in Fayette City; he was the son of the late Michael and Anna Nalepa Stefanick. A resident of North Belle Vernon; Mr. Stefanick was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; Belle Vernon; and was retired from Fisher Body – GM Corp.; where he worked as a presser/welder. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict; where he served in the U.S. Army and was the recipient of the Purple Heart; a life member of the Fairhope Rod & Gun Club and was an active member of its bowling league. Mr. Stefanick was a resident of Victoria House; Monessen; for the past year and a half. He is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law; Michael H. Stefanick; of North Belle Vernon; and Marti and Mary Stefanick; of Belle Vernon; four grandchildren; Beth Ann Stefanick; Michael Ryan Stefanick; Matthew David Stefanick and Brandi Lynn Stefanick; three step-grandchildren; Brittney; Ben and Chelsea; and three great- grandchildren; Jesse; Thomas and Kirsten Marie. He was preceded in death by his wife; Gertrude Marie Searles Stefanick; on Oct. 23; 2005; daughter; Mary Ann Stefanick; two sons; Mark Stefanick and Matthew Stefanick Jr.; brother; Rudolph P. Stefanick; and sister; Blanche Yetsconish. Visitation will be held Thursday 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 (724-929-6184). A Prayer Service will be held Friday; June 15; at 11:30 a.m. in the funeral home; followed by a Funeral Mass at noon in St. Sebastian R.C. Church. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Members of St. Sebastian parish will pray the rosary for the departed soul of Matthew Stefanick on Thursday at 3 p.m. Condolences accepted for the family at the funeral home Web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com

Caroline K. Gialas; 82; of Belle Vernon; died Monday; June 11; 2007; in West Penn Hospital; Pittsburgh. A daughter of the late Isidoris (James) and Eugenia Patricousis Gialas; she was born in Stockdale on Oct. 8; 1924. She was a member of St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church; Monessen; where she belonged to the Daughters of Penelope and was an officer and member of the board of directors for many years. Ms. Gialas was an active historian in the church. She had also belonged to the Eastern Star and numerous educational and professional organizations. Ms. Gialas was a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh; where she obtained a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees. She had owned and operated Caroline’s Beauty Salon in Stockdale for over 25 years. In 1970 she embarked on a second career; teaching cosmetology at the Western Area Vocational Technical School in Canonsburg for over 25 years prior to her retirement. She was a beloved teacher by many students who continued to stay in touch with her. Ms. Gialas was active in the anniversary celebration for the Stockdale Centennial celebration. She was the primary caregiver for her grandmother and namesake; Kalliopi Patricousis; who died in 1963 at the age of 116 and who was the oldest living person in Pennsylvania at that time. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by two sisters; Mary Gialas Salidis and Angeline Gialas. Survivors include a sister; Irene Gialas Retos; of Washington; Pa.; and a brother; George J. Gialas; of Cornwells Heights; nephews and nieces; George; Gregory; and Gary Retos; Karen Retos Demma; who is Caroline’s goddaughter; and Victoria Gialas Aristoklis; grand-nieces and grand-nephews; Branden Retos; Nicholas Retos; Kassandra Retos; Michael Aristoklis; Maria Aristoklis; Mario Demma and Mercyne Demma. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday; and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY INC.; www.fergusonfuneralhomeandcrematory.com; 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon (724-929-5300). Friends are asked to gather at the funeral home Thursday morning; June 14; at 9:15 a.m. and then go in procession to St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church in Monessen for a 10 a.m. service officiated by the Rev. Demetrios Gardikes. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. A Trisagion service will be held in the funeral home on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m.

William Carlson; 76; of Monessen; died Sunday; June 10; 2007; in Jefferson Senior Care Center; Perryopolis. Born July 4; 1930; in Monessen; he was the son of the late Charles and Nellie Patton Carlson. He had been employed by James Riddell Plumbing & Heating in Monessen and the Authority of the Borough of Charleroi prior to his retirement. A Korean War veteran; he had belonged to American Legion Thomas McKee Post No. 28; Elks Lodge No. 773; and Epiphany of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church; all of Monessen. He also was an avid bowler. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by a sister; Ella Carlson. Survivors include his wife; Beulah M. Carlson; sons and daughters-in-law; Carmine J. and Lynn Santoro; of Goose Creek; S.C.; and David E. and Joanne Santoro; of Belle Vernon; grandchildren; Julie; Zachary; Joshua and Scott. Arrangements have been entrusted to the RHOME FUNERAL HOME INC.; a Golden Rule Member; 1209 Grand Blvd.; Monessen; where visitation will be held Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Prayers of Transition will be held in the funeral home on Wednesday; June 13; at 9:30 a.m.; followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Epiphany of Our Lord R.C. Church; Monessen. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Services will be conducted in the funeral home on Tuesday by Monessen Elks Lodge No. 773 at 7 p.m. and by American Legion Thomas McKee Post 28 at 7:15 p.m.

David J. Turney; 86; of Belle Vernon; passed away Saturday; June 9; 2007. He was born Aug. 16; 1920; in Belle Vernon; the son of the late Thomas Joseph and Bessie L. Edwards Turney. David was an avid outdoorsman; with a passion for hunting and fishing. He was a veteran of World War II; serving with the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Ellyson. He is survived by his wife; Marjorie Riggins Turney; one son; David R. Turney and wife Kathleen; of Long Branch; one daughter; Lee Ann Russell and husband Robert; of Sugar Grove. David was the proud grandfather of two granddaughters; Kylee and Cassandra; and one grandson; Aubrey. He is also survived by one sister; Bernice Turney Gaskell; of Belle Vernon; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by two sisters; Dorothy Turney Bell and Dolores Turney Blair. Friends will be received in the BLAIR-LOWTHER FUNERAL HOME INC.; 106 East Independence St.; Perryopolis; on Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday; June 12; until 11 a.m.; the hour of service with the Rev. Suzanne Currie officiating. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

God called upon Louis Mazza Jr.; of Belle Vernon; and Groton; Conn.; to join his beloved wife; MaryLou; in Heaven. Lou was born the first of 11 children in Shinston; W.Va. He was a retired Navy officer who served during the Korean War. After retiring from the Navy; Lou made his home in Pennsylvania with his wife and children. Over the next 20 years; he excelled in the grocery industry; working for Fox Grocery Co.; and being a supermarket owner before moving to Connecticut in 1986. Lou then ran the Officers Club at the Coast Guard Academy in New London; Conn.; until retiring in 2002. He will be sadly missed by his family and the many friends and acquaintances he touched in life. Lou had an outgoing personality and a warm smile that touched all those who knew him. He was a wonderful and devoted husband and father; who took the time to show his loved ones how much he loved us all. He is survived by his three children; Vicki Wichterman and husband Ken; of Rostraver Township; Louis Mazza and wife Adrianne; of Naples; Fla.; and Paul Mazza and wife Carolyn; of Plainfield; Conn.; six grandchildren; Chad; Chris and Ken Wichterman; of Pennsylvania; and Nicole and Eric Mazza; of Florida; and Paul Mazza; of Connecticut; one great- grandchild; Nico Mazza; of Florida; three sisters; Mary Margaret; of Virginia; Tish; of West Virginia; and Genevive; of Arizona. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by his beloved wife; MaryLou; in 2003. Louis Mazza Jr. will live on in the hearts of his children and loved ones; and all those he touched in life. From his children and loved ones; God bless our father; ’til we meet again; Dad. There will be no public visitation. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated in St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; Belle Vernon. Interment; with full Military Honors; will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to the JAMES C. STUMP FUNERAL HOME INC.; 580 Circle Drive; Belle Vernon/Rostraver Township (724- 929-7934); www.jamesstumpfuneralhome.com