Victor S.Worry;88;of Belle Vernon (Fairhope);died Monday;Nov.20;2006;in his home. Victor is survived by his son;Vic (Kathy) Worry;of Royersford;Pa.;his daughter;Sharon (Sam) McCalmont of Sewickley;Pa.;grandson; Michael L. Worry; of Windsor; Conn.; granddaughter; Meredith Victoria McCalmont; of Sewickley; Pa; brothers; Frank & Steve Worry (both deceased); sisters; Sarah [Ray] Biegenwald; of Wall; Pa;. Anne Hudock and Mary Sedor (both deceased);sisters-in-law; Sara Worry and  Helen Worry;both of Belle Vernon. Vic was a member of  Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church in Fayette City and the VFW Post 699 in Belle Vernon. He was retired from Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel; Monessen Plant. Vic played in three bands over the years; The Thirsty Five; Sloga; and he was the last surviving member of the Blue Danube Band. Friends will be received in the Eley-McCrory Funeral Home Inc.;334 Main St.;Fayette City on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.and until 9:30 a.m.Saturday;Nov.25  The Rev. Leonard McAlpin will celebrate the Blessing Service in the funeral home;the Funeral  Mass at Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church;and the Committal service in the Cemetery. 

DIANE DEDICATED HER LIFE TO HER FAMILY; THE YOUTH OF HER COMMUNITY; AND ANIMALS OF ALL KINDS. WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL IN PENNSYLVANIA; SHE WROTE AN ESSAY ON PROGRAMS THAT WOULD BENEFIT YOUNG WOMEN. IN THE LATE 60’S SHE MOVED TO FLORIDA. IN 1970 SHE CO-FOUNDED THE WALSIE L. WARD GIRLS CLUB IN THE PINE HILLS COMMUNITY. SHE WAS DEDICATED TO THOUSANDS OF YOUNG GIRLS WHO NOW HAD A PLACE TO GO TO LEARN SELF CONFIDENCE; SOCIAL SKILLS; AND THE VALUE OF TEAMWORK. IN THE EARLY 80’S; SHE LAUNCHED A ONE-WOMAN CAMPAIGN TO STOP PET OVERPOPULATION. AFTER A LONG BATTLE; SHE GOT ORANGE COUNTY TO AGREE TO OPEN A LOW-COST SPAY / NEUTER CLINIC IN 1985 AND IT IS NOW A MODEL PROGRAM IN COMMUNITIES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. DIANE THEN FOUNDED CARE ; A NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION TO ASSIST IN STERILIZATION FOR PET OWNERS WHO CAN’T AFFORD IT. CHALLENGES ARE GOD’S TESTS BY WHICH WE ARE MEASURED AND DIANE HAS PASSED THEM ALL.

Van Miles Johnson; 62; formerly of Rostraver Township; died Friday; March 17; 2006; in Courtyards Nursing Home; Fulton; Miss.; following a brief illness. He was born Oct. 5; 1943; in North Charleroi; a son of Kathryn S. Johnson; who survives and resides in Mt. Pleasant; Mich.; and the late John F. Johnson. He was a 1961 graduate of Rostraver High School and a graduate of California University of Pennsylvania and was a teacher for several years in Maryland. Mr. Johnson lived in Pennsylvania and Michigan before moving to Tupelo; Miss.; where he resided for the past 10 years. In addition to his mother; he is survived by one brother; J. Kenneth (Doris) Johnson; of Lake Isabella; Mich.; three nieces; Sharon (Randall) Byrd; of Northville; Mich.; Susan (David) Staggs; of Morgantown; N.C.; and Rachel (Leonard) Olson; of Carleton; Mich.; and great-nieces and nephews; Caroline and Madison Byrd; Amanda Staggs; and Kirk; Kyle and Kara Olson. In addition to his father; he was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents; John Freeman (McGuire) Johnson and Mary Daniels Johnson; and his maternal grandparents; Gust Somppi and Mary Poro Somppi. Cremation will take place in Tupelo; and his cremains will be returned to Michigan. The McNEECE-MORRIS FUNERAL HOME; Fulton; Miss.; is in charge of arrangements.

Vera L. Hoffman Schmidt; 93; of Belle Vernon; died Sunday; Nov. 19; 2006; in Mercy Hospital; Pittsburgh. A daughter of the late George and Lydia Guiler Hoffman; she was born in Belle Vernon (Fairhope) on Feb. 6; 1913. A resident of Belle Vernon since 1937; she was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law; Ronald Jacob and Carol Schmidt; of Bethlehem; one daughter and son-in-law; Sharlene and Leland Haney; of Independence; Mo.; seven grandchildren; Sharon Richardson; Gayle Frassenei; Stephanie Hottenstein; Ronald J. Schmidt Jr.; and John; Cathee and Gary Wolford; and two great-grandchildren; Nicholas Frassenei and Miles Hottenstein. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; Jacob C. Schmidt; on March 4; 1977; two sisters and four brothers. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC. and CREMATION SERVICE; a Golden Rule Member Firm; www.fergusonfuneralhome.net; (724-929-5300); 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon. Funeral services will be in the funeral home on Wednesday; Nov. 22 at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Suzanne Currie officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The Session of the First Presbyterian Church will meet in the funeral home to hold services on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Tony M. Turk; 82; of North Belle Vernon; died Friday; Nov. 17; 2006; at Mon Valley Hospital; Carroll Township. Born Nov. 11; 1924; in West Newton; he was the son of the late Anton and Frances Turk. A resident of North Belle Vernon; Mr. Turk previously resided in Michigan; was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; Belle Vernon. He was also a member of the West Newton VFW Post 812; the YMCA; Carroll Township; the Slovenia Society and a retired tool and die maker from Auto Industry in Michigan. He was also a veteran of World War II; having served in the U.S. Army. He is survived by several nieces and nephews and a special friend; Helen Makovics; of Rostraver Township. He is preceded in death by his wife; Joan Venneri Turk; on April 13; 1992; and a sister; Frances Prokopio. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the LEONARD J. PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME; family owned and operated; 626 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon. 724-929-6183. Prayer Service will be held at 9:30 am Monday in the funeral home; followed by funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; Belle Vernon; with the Rev. Lawrence L. Manchas; V.F. Pastor; as celebrant. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Members of St. Sebastian Parish will pray the rosary for the departed soul of Tony Turk at 3 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. Condolences accepted at the funeral home’s Web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers; the family suggests memorial contributions be made in memory of Tony M. Turk to the Mon Valley YMCA; Carroll Township.

Kathryn Sompi Johnson; born in Washington Township; formerly of Rostraver Township; passed away in Mt. Pleasant; Mich.; on Tuesday; Oct. 31; 2006; following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She remained faithful to her Lutheran roots throughout her life. Kay is survived by her son; J. Kenneth (Doris) Johnson; of Lake Isabella; Mich.; a brother; Carl (Rita) Sompi; of Rhode Island; granddaughters; Sharon (Randall) Byrd; of Northville; Mich.; Susan (David) Staggs; of Morganton; N.C.; and Rachel (Leonard) Olson; of Carleton; Mich.; and great-grandchildren; Caroline and Madison Byrd; Amanda Staggs; and Kirk; Kyle and Kara Olson. Her husband; John F. Johnson; son; Van Miles Johnson; and parents; Gust Sompi and Mary Poro Sompi preceded her in death; as did her five sisters; Lina Huber; Stella Anderson; Martha Schwilm; Ina Johnston and Jenny Tolska. Kay was a graduate of California (Pa.) High School and went to secretarial school in Pittsburgh. In following years; she was employed as an executive secretary at the Pittsburgher and Roosevelt Hotels and at the Allegheny Club at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. After moving to Michigan; she was employed in the same capacity for Wright Line in Dearborn until her retirement. She was an avid golfer and loved to walk; swim; and read. She moved to the Mt. Pleasant area and was cared for by her loving son and daughter-in-law while residing at New Hope Assisted Living Center and more recently at the Wooden Rocker. Cremation has taken place. The cremated remains will be returned to Belle Vernon for graveside services and interment. Arrangements are incomplete at this time. Please see www.helmsfuneralhome.com for an on-line obituary and to leave a message for the family. Arrangements are by the HELMS FUNERAL HOME; 330 South University Ave.; Mt. Pleasant; Michigan 48858.

Don Lynn;71;of Rostraver Township;died Monday;Nov.13;2006;in Jefferson Regional Medical Center;Jefferson Hills.  Born Jan.3;1935;in Washington Township (Lynnwood); Fayette County;he was the son of the late Eli Jr.and Alfretta Crable Lynn.  He was a retired carpenter;having last worked for Valley Home Improvement.  He is survived by his wife;Elizabeth Zundel Lynn:three daughters;Donna Bergman;Gina Guyden and Carolin Lynn;two sons;Timothy Smith and Don Ricky Lynn;grandchildren;Zachariah Clark;Kaleigh and Kelsey Lynn;Melissa Hennesy;Jennifer Burfield;Bernadette and Eric Roserio;Jonathon and Jessica Guyden and Joseph Arnold;great-grandchildren;William;Alexis and Brittany Burfield;Krysta Burtman;Breanna and Madelyn Hennesy and Heather Camino;three brothers;Glen and (Don’s twin) Dale Lynn and Harold Bean.  In addition to his parents;he was preceded in death by a daughter;Charlene Lynn;four sisters;Edith Bach;Clara Toth;Myrel Tempest and Sarah Bach;and four brothers;Robert;Ralph;Richard and Russell Lynn.  Visitation will be held Tuesday and Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.at the L.L.BARTHELS FUNERAL HOME INC.;Second Street;Smithton.  Funeral services will be held Thursday;Nov.16;2006;at 11 a.m.in the funeral home;followed by burial in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Alexander L. Toia; 77; of Belle Vernon (Lynnwood); was called home to be with the Lord on Saturday; Nov. 11; 2006. He was the son of the late Frank and Lena Tallerico Toia. Alex was born May 18; 1929. He was an only child and wed Mary Ann Sowko; of Monessen; on Aug. 7; 1954. She went to be with the Lord in February 2005. After graduating from Belle Vernon in 1947; Mr. Toia went to work at Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel; Allenport plant. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force and was called to active duty in the Korean War; where he served his country until 1953. After being discharged; he was married and returned to work at the Allenport plant as a roll grinder. First and foremost; Alex loved his family; they include his eldest son; Thomas Toia and wife Cindy Hufford; of North Huntingdon; younger son; Gregory Toia and daughter Lee Ann McDowell and husband Timothy. Alex had three grandsons whom he was extremely proud of and loved very much; Joshua; Gregory Alexander and Samuel Alexander. He is also survived by his sister-in-law; Matilda Stimmel; of Bethel Park. It is important to note that Alex was an extremely loving and devoted husband; father and grandfather and a best friend. He provided well for his family and was a source of strength and confidence. What he passed on to them will not be forgotten as life goes on as part of their character today. Second to his family; Alex had a love for football and spent years playing in high school and officiating. Alex loved attending the Belle Vernon Area High School football games. He was a member of the Mon Valley Golden Panthers and held season tickets to Pitt football for more than 30 years. He was a true Pitt fan in good times and bad. Third; Alex loved preparing income taxes; which he did for 30 years. In addition to solving his clients’ tax problems; he loved conversing and joking with them. Alex was a life member of the North Belle Vernon Fire Department and loved to play golf. Most importantly; he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior shortly before being called home. This was the most important decision of his life. His family will look forward to being reunited with him in Heaven around the Throne of God; where they will give glory to God for all that He has done. Friends will be received Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC. and CREMATION SERVICE; a Golden Rule Member Firm; www.fergusonfuneralhome.net; 724-929-5300; 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon. A blessing service will be in the funeral home on Wednesday; Nov. 15 at 10:30 a.m.; followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. in St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. On Tuesday at 3 p.m.; members of St. Sebastian R.C. Church will meet in the funeral home to pray the rosary; and members of the North Belle Vernon Volunteer Fire Department will meet to hold services at 7 p.m.

John A. Jack Peters; 65; of Speers; died Friday; Nov. 10; 2006 in Select Specialty Hospital; Greensburg. A son of the late Alvin Peters and Stella McCune Peters Rogers; he was born in Monessen on May 28; 1941. Catholic by faith; he resided in Speers since 2001 and formerly lived in West Virginia; New York and Connecticut. Mr. Peters was instrumental in the development of Outreach to Children and their families in Fayette County and was a professor in the Graduate School of Social Work at West Virginia University for many years. He moved to New York where he was the director of a shelter for homeless women and was a grant writer for Brooklyn Borough. Survivors include his sister; Carole Lee; of Charleroi; one sister-in-law; Elizabeth Peters; of West Haven; Conn.; seven nieces and nephews; Mary Beth Murray; Kevin Peters and Suzanne Reynolds; all of Connecticut; Peter Lee; of Ocala; Fla.; Patrick Lee; of Charleroi; Cynthia Lee and Craig Lee; both of Monessen; seven great-nieces and nephews; and many friends. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by a brother; LeRoy Skip Peters; in 1976; and his step father; Henry Hank Rogers; in 1987. Friends will be received Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC. and CREMATION SERVICE; a Golden Rule Member Firm; www.fergusonfuneralhome.net; (724-929-5300); 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon. A blessing service will be in the funeral home on Tuesday; Nov. 14 at 11:30 a.m. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Cyril E. Baker Gene ; 87; of Monessen; died Thursday; Nov. 9; 2006; in Durham; N.C.; where he resided since 2004. Born in Charleroi on Nov. 9; 1919; he was a son of the late Adam and Anna Hohider Baker. He had been employed by Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel; coke plant division. Mr. Baker was a member of Epiphany of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church in Monessen and had been a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in West Newton. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion. He served in the Signal Corps of the United States Army during World War II and was posted in England and Belgium. Preceding him in death; in addition to his parents; were three brothers; Robert; James and Charles Baker; and one sister; Catherine Zajack. Survivors include his wife; Gloria Zambelli Baker; with whom he celebrated 58 years of marriage on July 11; 2006; two daughters; Debra Kacmar; of Valencia; Calif.; and Nancy Poprosky; of Smithton; two sons and daughters-in-law; Larry and Pam Baker; of Belle Vernon; and Barry Baker and Jeanne White; of Durham; N.C.; eight grandchildren; Keith; Kelly; Amber; Johnna; Shelby; Justin; Brady and Jordan; and a sister; Geraldine Zajack; of Monessen. Visitation will be held in the RHOME FUNERAL HOME INC.; 1209 Grand Blvd.; Monessen on Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Prayers will be offered Tuesday; Nov. 14; at 9:30 a.m.; followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in Epiphany of Our Lord R.C. Church; Monessen. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.