John R. Emerick; 67; of Rostraver Township; died Wednesday; July 19; 2006; at his home. Born in Brownstown (Fayette City) on Feb. 24; 1939; he was the son of the late Albert and Luetta Biles Emerick. He was retired from Monco Products as a bagger. Mr. Emerick was Protestant by faith and was a member of the Rostraver Lions Club. He is survived by his wife; Darlene Forsythe Emerick; three sons; David T. Emerick; of Rostraver Township; Mark A. Emerick; of West Newton; and Brian L. Emerick; of Arnold City (Belle Vernon); one daughter; Connie L. Courie; of West Newton; 10 grandchildren; April and Anthony Harrold; Edin Emerick; Jerid Emerick; Justen Emerick; Josh Emerick; Amber Emerick; Izryah Emerick; Brian Emerick Jr. and Adrianna Emerick; one great-grandson; Noah Harrold; and one brother; Robert D. Emerick; of Fayette City. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by a son; John R. Emerick Jr.; seven brothers; Charles; Theodore; Orie; Albert; Sheridan; Gerald and Duwayne Emerick; and two sisters; Alberta Palmer and Joyce Emerick. 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 JAMES C. STUMP FUNERAL HOME INC.; 580 Circle Drive; Belle Vernon/Rostraver Township (724-929-7934); www.jamesstumpfuneralhome.com; where a Funeral Service will be held Monday; July 24 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Don Anders officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery; Rostraver Township.

George Popovich; 82; formerly of Monessen; died Tuesday; July 18; 2006; at his home in Pompano Beach; Fla. He was born in Monessen on July 22; 1923; a son of the late John and Elizabeth Martin Popovich. George attended the University of Iowa; Yale University and the University of Pittsburgh. He was a civil engineer for Alcoa for 36 years and was the chief financial officer of Literal Corporation for nine years. George served as a captain in the 20th Air Force during World War II and served as a communications officer in charge of the Signal Center in Harmon Field; Guam. He is survived by four sons; George Gary Popovich; of Miami; Fla.; Alan (Christine) Popovich; of State College; David Popovich; of West Palm Beach; Fla.; and Douglas Popovich; of Brooklyn; N.Y.; four grandchildren; Alexander Popovich; Christopher Popovich; Alissa Popovich and Julia Popovich; and a brother; Steve Popovich; of Colorado Springs; Colo. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by his wife; Lois Jean Popovich; in October 2004; four brothers; John; Andrew (of Jensen Beach; Fla.); Charles and Frank Popovich; and three sisters; Elisabeth Michalek (of Jensen Beach); Anne Desalvo and Margaret Popovich. Friends will be received at the DALFONSO-BILLICK FUNERAL HOME INC.; 441 Reed Ave.; Monessen (724-684-8750) on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Blessing Service will be held in the funeral home on Monday; July 24 at 10 a.m. followed by a Funeral Service at 10:30 a.m. in Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Belle Vernon with Hiermonk Patrick of St. Mary’s Russian Orthodox Church in Pittsburgh officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. A Parastas Service will be held in the funeral home on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to: St. Mary’s Russian Orthodox Church; 105 South 19th St.; Pittsburgh; Pa. 15203; or; Christ the Savior Russian Orthodox Cathedral; 16601 Northwest 77th Court; Hialeah; Fla. 33016; or; American Legion National Headquarters; Washington Office; 1608 K St.; N.W.; Washington; D.C. 20006.

The three month old child of Mr.and Mrs.John Hileman died yesterday;Thursday;December 18;1902. Interment today Friday;December 19;1902 at 11:30 in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Celestine K. Chel Lavery; 98; of Belle Vernon died Friday; July 14; 2006 in Jefferson Hills Manor. A daughter of the late George and Clara Salvino Nucci; she was born in Weirton; WV on August 2; 1907. A resident of Belle Vernon since 1940; she was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church. Chel retired in 1970 after 38 years with the former Vernon Drug Store of Belle Vernon. Survivors include 1 daughter and son-in-law; Lorees and Max Sherman of Warsaw; IN; 3 grandchildren; James Sidary of Monongahela; Laurie Marraccini of McKeesport and Kathleen Couvillion of Dallas; TX and 4 great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; James Lavery in 1934; 3 brothers; Lewis; George and Fred Nucci and 2 sisters; Edith Hall and Verci Pettko. Friends will be received on Sunday 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 Avenue; Belle Vernon. A blessing service will be in the funeral home on Monday at 9:30 A.M. followed by a funeral mass at 10 A.M. in St. Sebastian R.C. Church. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The rosary will be prayed in the funeral home on Sunday at 3 P.M. led by members of St. Sebastian Parish.

William Package Sr.; 98; of Belle Vernon (Fairhope); died Thursday; July 13; 2006; at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born in Fayette City on Feb. 28; 1908; the son of the late Charles Sr. and Sarah Czarowwich Package. He was a member of Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church in Fayette City. Mr. Package was a retired general foreman at the Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Company; Allenport Plant. He was preceded in death by his loving wife; Rose M. Package; in 1997. He is survived by daughters; Frances Livingstone; of Belle Vernon; Christine Canigiani and husband Mark; of Dunlevy; Rosalie Eanone; of Clarksburg; W.Va.; and Maxine Package; of Brandon; Fla.; a son; William Package Jr. and wife Judith; of Fayette City; 15 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Friends will be received at the ELEY-McCRORY FUNERAL HOME INC; Fayette City; on Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Monday; July 17 until 9:30 a.m.; when a prayer service will be held in the funeral home; followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in Holy Spirit R.C. Church with the Rev. Leonard McAlpin officiating. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery. A parish wake service will be held Sunday at 3 p.m. in the funeral home. For those unable to attend; on-line condolences will be accepted at the funeral home Web site; www.eleymccroryfuneralhome.com

Harry J. Tueche Jr.; 89; of Monessen; died Tuesday; July 11; 2006; in Havencrest Nursing Center. Born June 27; 1917; in Fayette City; he was the son of the late Harry J. and Jane Daugherty Tueche. He is survived by his loving wife of 71 years; Carmen Beery Tueche; two sons; James W. Jerry Tueche and wife Marjorie; of Hershey; and Harry Beezy Tueche; of Rochester Hills; Mich.; three grandchildren; Michele Kirsch; Jane Karnowski and Jon Tueche; one step grandson; Edward Coccari; five great-grandchildren; Taylor Kirsch; Sophie and Ella Karnowski; and Weston and Christian Mountz; and two step great-grandchildren; Hedy Paterno and Jade Popson. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law; Mary Ann Tueche; a step granddaughter; Donna Popson; and his half sister; Irene Tueche Evans. During World War II; he served with the 28th Infantry Division; 110th Regiment Company D; rising to the rank of staff sergeant. Mr. Tueche participated in action across northern France and was wounded near Archen; Germany. He was awarded the European; African; Middle East Campaign medal with two Bronze Stars; Good Conduct medal; World War II Victory medal and the Purple Heart. Upon his return to Monessen; he enrolled at California State Teachers College and graduated in 1949. While a full-time student; he founded the Yell-o Cab Co. in July 1948. He sold the taxi business in 1951 and began selling homes for Admiral Co. By 1953; Admiral awarded Harry his own exclusive territory along Route 30 near Irwin; which quickly became the largest volume dealership. In 1957 he founded Keystone Homes in Belle Vernon and by 1965 had 27 dealers in five states. He later co-owned Laurel Ridge Coal Co. in Charleroi. Mr. Tueche was a member of Epiphany of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church; a 60-year member of the American Legion; and a 65-year member of the Elks Club; all in Monessen. He was a past president of the Monessen Industrial Development Corp.; and a past member of the Monessen Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club. Mr. Tueche was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates fan. Friends will be received Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the ROBERT A. BILLICK FUNERAL HOME INC.; Grand Boulevard and Marion Avenue; Monessen (724-684-3700). A Blessing Service will be held Saturday; July 15 at 9:30 a.m.; followed by a 10 a.m. Funeral Mass in Epiphany of Our Lord R.C. Church. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery. American Legion Post 28; Monessen; will conduct services on Friday at 7:15 p.m. in the funeral home.

Merry K. Tootsie Wysochanski Hewitt; 71; of North Belle Vernon; died Wednesday; July 12; 2006; at 11:36 p.m. at her home surrounded by her family. Born Sept. 21; 1934; in Monessen; she was the daughter of the late John and Catherine Ilnicki Wysochanski. A resident of North Belle Vernon for the past 50 years; Mrs. Hewitt was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; Belle Vernon. She was the owner and operator of Jake’s Pizza in North Belle Vernon and Rostraver Township for the past 30 years. Her customers and employees brought her much joy and happiness. She also enjoyed her trips to Las Vegas and Atlantic City with her husband and vacations with her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her husband; Jacob T. Hewitt; with whom she celebrated 50 years of marriage on June 24; 2006; a son; Robert B. Hewitt; of Rostraver Township; two daughters and sons-in-law; Merrie Lu Sissy and Jesse Podroskey; and Dayna and Ron Bethem; all of North Belle Vernon; three sisters and 2 brothers-in-law; Frances Roy; of Texas; Joan and Charles Zubritsky; of Monessen; and Mildred and Richard Neidermyer; of Washington; Pa.; grandchildren; Rhiannon; Melissa; Erik; Bryan; Shawn; Lee; Jacob; Karrie; Jill; Jared; Erin and Neal; great-grandchildren; Cage; Steven; Robert; Catherine and Timothy; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by five brothers; Michael; Stanley; Carl; Victor and Lou Wysochanski; and a sister; Carolyn Winant. Visitation will be held Friday 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). A Prayer Service will be held Saturday; July 15 at 8:30 a.m. in the funeral home; followed by a Funeral Mass at 9 a.m. 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 Merry Hewitt on Friday at 3 p.m. in the funeral home.

Danielle Elaine Kathleen Davis; infant daughter of Daniel and Jennifer Chew Davis; of North Belle Vernon; died Tuesday; July 11; 2006; in Mon Valley Hospital. Survivors; in addition to her parents; include one brother; Jacob Davis; one sister; Ashley Chew; both at home; her maternal grandmother; Janis Chew; of Belle Vernon; her paternal grandparents; Donald A. and Ellen Swarm Davis; of Elizabeth; and her maternal great-grandmother; Erma M. Chew; of Monongahela. Private funeral services were held today 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. The Rev. Suzanne Currie; pastor of the First Presbyterian Church; officiated. Interment was in Belle Vernon Cemetery.
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Viola Carpenter-Rawlins; 75; formerly of Monongahela; was called home to Glory on July 7; 2006; while in Mon Valley Hospital. She was born July 20; 1930; in Boligee; Ala.; one of seven children and the daughter of the late Roy and Rosetta Carpenter. Viola retired from the West Penn Allegheny Health System after many years of devoted nursing service. Over recent months she had resided at Kenric Manor in Donora. Prior to her illness; she was a faithful member of Covenant Christian Church; Dr. Frank J. DePolo; Belle Vernon. Viola was a deeply spiritual woman who loved to share laughter and her faith in God. She leaves to cherish her memory: one son; Alan Edward (Karen) Rawlins; of Rockville; Md.; two daughters; Schlain Lynne Rawlins; of Monongahela; and Lorraine Carol (William) Grayson; of Uniontown; one sister; Arwilda Mathis; of Donora; several beloved nephews; nieces; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; cousins; and a host of other devoted relatives and friends. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; Ira E. Rawlins; one son; Clarence Rawlins; four brothers; William; Robert; Daniel and Cleo Carpenter; and one sister; Ida B. Johnson. Family and friends will be received Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday; July 12; from 10 to 11 a.m.; the hour of service in Mt. Calvary Baptist Church; 230 Reed Ave.; Monessen. Officiating will be the Rev. Robert C. Holmes and Dr. Frank J. DePolo. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to the BEVERLY C. DRAPER FUNERAL HOME INC.; 608 Sixth St.; Monessen (724-684-6242).

John S. Zunic; 85; of Belle Vernon; died Thursday; July 6; 2006; in Mon Valley Hospital. A son of the late John and Mary Klanchar Zunic; he was born in Herminie on July 16; 1920. He was a life member and past Assistant Chief of the Belle Vernon Volunteer Fire Company No. 2. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II; he retired in 1980 from the Allenport Plant of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Company and worked for many years at the Helon Farm in Perryopolis. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law; John E. and Sharon Zunic and James and Lorraine Zunic; and one daughter and son-in-law; Pattie and Randy Burnsworth; all of Belle Vernon; three sisters; Lois Jurcevich; of West Newton; Susan Guerrieri; of Irwin; and Anna Maria Honey Reese; of Kennesaw; Ga.; seven grandchildren; Kimberly; John and Eric Zunic; Lynnsi Joe and Jesse William Zunic; Annette Trenk and Jason Marchewka; and one great-grandson; Bradley. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by his wife; Edna Mary Albright Zunic; in 1977; one son; Donald A. Zunic; on March 22; 2006; and one brother; Edward Zunic; in 2004. Friends will be received on Sunday from noon 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. Funeral services will be in the funeral home on Monday; July 10; at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Suzanne Currie; pastor of the First Presbyterian Church officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The Belle Vernon Fire Company will meet in the funeral home to hold services Sunday at 3 p.m.