Samuel Sergi; 69; of Belle Vernon; died Tuesday; Nov. 28; 2006; in Family Hospice Manor; Pittsburgh. A son of the late Samuel and Lillian Dugan Sergi; he was born in Belle Vernon on Jan. 19; 1937. He was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church in Belle Vernon; the Belle Vernon American Legion Post No. 659 and the East Belle Vernon Athletic Club. A lifelong resident of Belle Vernon; he retired in 1989 from the Monessen Plant of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Company and was inducted into the Belle Vernon Area Hall of Fame; Class of 2001. Survivors include his wife; Deanna Ferrari Sergi; with whom he celebrated 46 years of marriage on Aug. 9; 2006; one daughter and son- in-law; Lynn and Bruce Shirkey; of Baltimore; Md.; one son and daughter-in-law; Samuel and Kristine Sergi; of Belle Vernon; four grandchildren; Travis and Corey Shirkey; and Zachary and Wesley Sergi; two sisters; Loretta Cooper; of Charleroi; and Jeannie Neinhouse; of Columbus; Ohio; and two brothers; Frank Sergi; of Kansas City; Mo.; and John Sergi; of Monessen. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by five sisters; Lena Jampetro; Pauline Woodering; Frances Caputo; Kathryn Uhor and Margaret Acton; and two brothers; James and Dominic Sergi. Friends will be received Thursday 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 Friday; Dec. 1; at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Shirley M. Conte; 75; of Charleroi; entered into eternal rest on Friday; Nov. 24; 2006; at Havencrest Nursing Home. She was born Sept. 4; 1931; in Washington Township; Fayette County; the daughter of the late Leonard Leo and Estella Daniels Sands. Mrs. Conte was Lutheran by faith. She is survived by two daughters; Marcia Fretz and husband James; of Belle Vernon; and Michelle Conte; of Charleroi; two sons; Dolph Conte; of Charleroi; and Keith Conte and wife Michele; of Belle Vernon; two sisters; Sandy Ambrose and husband Ray; of Belle Vernon; and Dorothy Sands; of Fayette City; and eight grandchildren. A Memorial Service was held Tuesday; Nov. 28; in Lynnwood Lutheran Church with the Rev. Dr. Jack Hernstrom officiating. Interment was in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The family would like to thank the staff; nurses and doctors at Havencrest Nursing Center for the excellent care given to Shirley M. Conte during her illness. Arrangements were handled by the ELEY-McCRORY FUNERAL HOME INC.; Fayette City. On-line condolences will be accepted at the funeral home Web site; www.eleymccroryfuneralhome.com

Della Pro; 82; of Belle Vernon; died Saturday; Nov. 25; 2006; in Mon Valley Hospital. A daughter of the late Emanuel and Hester Baker Casteel; she was born in Naomi on Jan. 18; 1924. A lifelong Belle Vernon resident; she was a member of the Lynnwood Lutheran Church. Della and her husband owned and operated the former Pro’s Bar in Belle Vernon; Pro’s Body Shop and Pro’s Italian Food Store; both in North Belle Vernon. Survivors include her husband; Dominick G. Pro; with whom she would have celebrated 60 years of marriage on Dec. 4; 2006; one sister and brother-in-law; Freeda and Edmund Martin; of Belle Vernon; and many nieces and nephews; including a dear nephew; Eddie Martin; of Belle Vernon. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by two brothers; James and Louis Casteel; four sisters; Ada Usher; Elizabeth Luketic; Mazzetta Naspinski; and her twin sister; Stella Granlund; and one beloved great-nephew; Jeffrey Luketic. Friends will be received from 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. 29; at 10 a.m. with Pastor Jack Hernstrom officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Maynard W. Natola; 87; of Belle Vernon; entered into eternal rest on Wednesday; Nov. 22; 2006; at Hallsworth House in Monessen. He was born Dec. 30; 1918; in Fayette City; the son of Joseph and Lillie Kennedy Natola. He was also preceded in death by three sisters; Edna Ciavarrat; Minnie Park and Mable Brinegar. Maynard was a retired employee of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Co.; Allenport plant. He was a veteran of World War II; serving with the U.S. Army in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. Maynard was a member of Brightwell/Daughtery Post 484 American Legion; Fayette City. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years; Martha Fekula Natola; and one sister; Martha Herspold; of Perryopolis. Friends will be received in the ELEY-McCRORY FUNERAL HOME INC.; 334 Main St.; Fayette City on Sunday from noon to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.; and Monday; Nov. 27; until 11 a.m.; when Funeral Services will be held with the Rev. Richard Klein; of Belle Vernon; officiating. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The family would like to especially thank the staff at Hallsworth House and Albert Gallatin Hospice for the excellent care given to Maynard Natola. For those unable to attend; on-line condolences will be accepted at the funeral home Web site;www.eleymccroryfuneralhome.com

Julia Dacko; 90; of Charleroi; died Monday; Nov. 20; 2006; in Shady Rest Personal Care Home; Fallowfield Township. Born in Charleroi on Oct. 22; 1916; she was a daughter of John and Anna Doyle Savage. Mrs. Dacko was a member of Mary; Mother of the Church; Charleroi. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law; Jon and Debra Dacko; of East Hartford; Conn.; a sister; Catherine Cal Mendocino; of Belle Vernon; two grandsons; five granddaughters and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; John Dacko; in 1982; two brothers; August and Thomas Savage; and two sisters; Adeline Bilitski and Ellen Benassi. Visitation will be held Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the LEONARD M. PAVLIC FUNERAL HOMES INC.; 235 Fallowfield Ave.; Charleroi. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday; Nov. 25 at 10 a.m. in Mary; Mother of the Church; Charleroi. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

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.