Victoria Monita Lapenna; 76; of Belle Vernon; died Saturday; March 25; 2006; at 5:46 p.m. in Cherry Tree Nursing Center; Uniontown. Born Aug. 17; 1929; in Ethelbert; Canada; she was the daughter of the late John and Mary Shlanta Monita. A lifelong resident of Belle Vernon; Mrs. Lapenna was a member of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church; Belle Vernon; founding church choir member; former member of the St. Barbara Alter Guild and was very devoted to her family. She also was a retired seamstress from Brookvale in Donora. She is survived her son and daughter-in-law; Michael J. and Donna Hatalowich; of Perryopolis; two grandchildren; Rebecca and Michael Hatalowich; one niece; Dr. Stephanie Urchick; and three nephews; Stephen Urchick; and Peter and John Merella. She was preceded in death by her daughter; Victoria Hatalowich; and two sisters; Virginia J. Urchick and Vera Merella. Visitation will be held Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday 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- 6183). Relatives and friends will gather at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church; Mary Street; Belle Vernon; on Wednesday; March 29 at 10 a.m. services with the Very Rev. John J. Kluchko officiating. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. A Parastas Service will be held Tuesday at 8 p.m. in the funeral home. Condolences accepted at the funeral home Web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com

Retha Mae Doyle; 78; of North Charleroi; died Thursday; March 23; 2006; in her home. A daughter of the late Edward and Evelyn Linderman Lewandowsky; she was born in Brownsville on Dec. 24; 1927. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Charleroi and a Past Worthy Matron of the former Charleroi Chapter of Eastern Star. Retha enjoyed crocheting baby afghans and her circle word books. Formerly of Speers; she had resided in North Charleroi since 1986. Survivors include two daughters and one son-in-law; Patricia Ann Doyle; of North Charleroi; and Kathleen and Gary Faieta; of Columbus; Ohio; one son; William M. Doyle Jr.; of Costa Mesa; Calif.; one sister; Bernice Gilleland; of Front Royal; Va.; four grandchildren; Tracey Osman and husband Paul; of Wilkins Township; Michelle Mollenkamp and husband Aaron; Michael Faieta and wife Lacey; all of Columbus; and Melissa Vrable and husband Larry; of Rochester Hills; Mich.; four great- grandchildren; Lance and Chase Mollenkamp and Katlyn and Andrew Faieta; and her adopted grandchildren; Amy; Jody and Valerie. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; William Milton Doyle; on Oct. 13; 1988; one son; William D. Lewandowsky; in 1992; and one sister; Margaret Gilleland; in November 2005. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday 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; March 27 at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Bruce Northey officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Members of the Monongahela Chapter 108 of the Eastern Star will meet in the funeral home on Sunday at 7 p.m. for services.

Raymond Sopsic; 58; of Fayette City (Naomi); died Wednesday; March 22; 2006; in The Donnell House; Washington; Pa. He was born Feb. 7; 1948; in North Charleroi; a son of the late William and Stella Duda Sopsic. He was a member of the Naomi AC Club and retired from Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel; Allenport Plant. Surviving are his uncle; Edward Duda and wife Toshiko; of New Jersey; and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by a brother; William R. Sopsic Jr.; on Dec 6; 1997. 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 Saturday; March 25 until 10 a.m.; when a Blessing service will take place with the Rev. Leonard McAlpin officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers; contributions may be made to the Albert Gallatin Hospice. For those unable to attend; on-line condolences will be accepted at the funeral home Web site; www.eleymccroryfuneralhome.com

Jean Dohanich Ciliberti Cathers; 60; of Belle Vernon (Fairhope); was taken by our Lord to the peace she so deserved while in the Washington County Health Center on Wednesday; March 22; 2006. She was born June 9; 1945; in North Charleroi; a daughter of the late George and Irene M. Hegedus Dohanich. She was Catholic by faith and a graduate of Bellmar High School Class of 1963. Jean worked as a waitress at the following places: K-Mart; La Eda’s; Stringhill’s; Frankie’s; CJ’s; Pizza Hut; Tall Tom’s; Kosanko’s and Vaccaro’s. She was a member of the Belle Vernon American Legion and Naomi AC Club. Surviving are her son; Anthony G. Ciliberti and fiancee Tina Mankin; of Belle Vernon; two sisters; Georgetta Burger and husband Joseph; of Monessen; and her twin; Joan Dohanich; of Fairhope; two grandchildren; Marcella and Anthony Ciliberti; one niece; Cynthia Burger Rollings and husband Robert; of Canonsburg; and their children; Christopher and Rebecca; two nephews; Joseph A. Burger and wife Jacqueline; of Dunlevy; and Raymond M. Burger; of Fairhope; and his son; Raymie George Burger; and two aunts; Christina Rihtarcik; of Fayette City; and Helen Luzanski; of Belle Vernon. Friends will be received in the ELEY-McCRORY FUNERALH OME INC.; 334 Main St.; Fayette City; on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Private funeral services for the family will be held Friday; March 24; with the Rev. Msgr. Andrew D. Parvensky officiating. Private 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

Mary M. Minniti Greco; 88; of Belle Vernon; died Thursday; March 16; 2006 at 4:05 p.m. in Laurel Ridge Center; Uniontown. Born Aug. 18; 1917 in Elwood City; she was the daughter of the late Demetreos and Jovanna Minniti. A resident of Belle Vernon; Mrs. Greco was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church in Belle Vernon and owned and operated Greco Cleaners in Belle Vernon. She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law; Ralph A. and Bonnie Greco; of Belle Vernon; and Sam and Rose Greco; of West Newton; two brothers and sisters-in-law; Sam and Florence Minniti; and Virgil and Frances Minniti; and two sisters; Carmel Tripoli and Helen Melodona; all of Ohio; nine grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; Ralph Greco; on Dec. 3; 1983; two brothers; Philip and Angelo Minniti; and one sister; Ann Minniti. Visitation will be held Sunday 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 (724-929-6183). A Prayer Service will be held Monday; March 20 at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home; followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Sebastian R.C. Church with the Rev. Lawrence L. Manchas V.F.; pastor; as celebrant. Entombment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Members of St. Sebastian parish will pray the rosary for the departed soul of Mary Greco on Sunday at 3 p.m. in the funeral home. Condolences accepted at the funeral home Web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com

Anthony Ercegovich; 81; formerly of Belle Vernon and Tionesta; died Wednesday; March 15; 2006; at 9 p.m. in Southwestern Veterans Hospital; Pittsburgh. Born Feb. 5; 1925; in Fairhope; he was the son of the late Joseph Ercegovich Sr. and Mary Tylosky Ercegovich. He was Catholic by faith and a retired coal miner from Bethlehem Mine #60. Mr. Ercegovich was a veteran of World War II; having served with the U.S. Army and fought in the Battle of the Bulge with the 605th Tank Destroyer Battalion and was a former member of Belle Vernon American Legion Post 659. He is survived by his son; Tony Ercegovich; of Belle Vernon; two daughters and sons-in-law; Mary and Jeffrey Krett and Roberta and Richard Vitale; all of Belle Vernon; a brother; Joseph Ercegovich Jr.; of Arnold City; two sisters; Julia Bilski; of Arnold City; and Rose Church; of Las Vegas; Nev.; two grandchildren; Jacque Casoni; of Hamilton; N.J.; and Kelly Casoni; of Sonoma; Calif. He was preceded in death by his wife; Mary Anne Katchmark Ercegovich; on July 10; 1997; and a sister; Mary Yusko. Visitation will be held Friday 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- 929-6183). A Prayer Service will be held Saturday; March 18; at 9 a.m. in the funeral home; followed by a Funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m. in St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; Belle Vernon. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Members of St. Sebastian parish will pray the rosary for the departed soul of Anthony Ercegovich on Friday at 3 p.m. in the funeral home. Condolences are accepted at the funeral home Web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com

JOSEPHINE DIED IN JACKSON COMMUNITY HOSPITAL IN MIAMI; FLORIDA. JOSEPHINE WAS A MOTHER; GRANDMOTHER; GREAT-GRANDMOTHER; AND A GREAT-GREAT-GRANDMOTHER. A GRANDDAUGHTER; JOANN WEATHERFORD; CAME UP FROM FLORIDA TO MAKE ARRAINGEMENTS FOR JOSEPHINE’S INTERMENT. JOSEPHINE ALSO HAD A SISTER; MARGARET.

Joseph Buza; 88; of Belle Vernon; died Monday; March 13; 2006; in Mon Valley Hospital. Born in Whitsett on March 8; 1918; he was the son of the late Joseph and Mary Meszaros Buza. He was a retired contractor and carpenter. Mr. Buza served with the U.S. Army during World War II. He is survived by four sons; Allan J. Buza and Debbie; of Belle Vernon; David L. Buza and wife Linda; of Houston; Texas; Charles R. Buza and wife Susie; and Richard L. Buza and wife Carol; all of Belle Vernon; a sister; Irene Cowan; of Perryopolis; 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by his wife; Mary Buza; on March 5; 2003. Friends will be received Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the JAMES C. STUMP FUNERAL HOME INC.; 580 Circle Drive; Sweeney Plan/Rostraver Township (724-929-7934); where a Funeral Service will be held Thursday; March 16; at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Kent Lighthall officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery; Rostraver Township.
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Joyce A. Yohe; 72; of Charleroi; died Saturday; March 11; 2006; in Canonsburg Hospital. She was born Dec. 12; 1933; in Charleroi; a daughter of the late Albert and Helen Strenske Hart. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Charleroi; serving as their financial secretary. Mrs. Yohe was a former member and first woman president for the Charleroi Area School Board of Directors; where she served for 30 years. She also was a former member of the Mon Valley Career & Technology Center board; the Charleroi Recreation Board; and director of the Charleroi Food and Cheese Program. Joyce was chosen as the Citizen of the Year in 1975 by the American Legion. She is survived by her husband; Paul Kent Yohe; one son; Kenny Yohe and wife Jackie; of Bentleyville; three daughters; Debra Moller and husband Herbert; of State College; Linda Wolfgang and husband Bill; of Jefferson Hills; and Pamela Kevech and husband Stanley; of Charleroi; nine grandchildren; Melissa; Rachel; Jessica; Emily; Dan; Dylan; Divin; Kristen and B.J.; and three great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by an infant daughter; Ethel Harriett Yohe; and two brothers; Albert and Lee Hart. 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 SHROCK-HOGAN FUNERAL HOME INC.; (www.schrock-hogan.com) 226 Fallowfield Ave.; Charleroi. Funeral services will be held Wednesday; March 15; at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with Pastor Bruce Northey. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Betty B. Jeffrey; 88; of Coral Springs; Fla.; a former and long-time resident of Charleroi; died peacefully on Monday; March 6; 2006. She was born in Speers on July 30; 1917; a daughter of the late Isaac Newton Beazell and Vivian Donaldson Beazell Patton. Mrs. Jeffrey graduated from California Normal School; now California University of Pennsylvania; with a bachelor’s degree in education and received her master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh. She started her teaching career in the Hickory School District and also was a teacher in the Charleroi Area School District for many years. While living in Charleroi; she was an active member of the Presbyterian Church of Charleroi and the Athene Club. Mrs. Jeffrey interrupted her teaching career to proudly serve her country as a member of the Women’s Army Corps during World War II. She was stationed for much of this time in the European Theater of Operations; primarily in Belgium and France. Mrs. Jeffrey is survived by her daughter; Paige Patla; of Coral Springs; Fla.; her son; John Mark Jeffrey and wife Alexis; of Martinsville; N.J.; three grandchildren; Erin; James and Jessica Patla; a sister; Norma Houseman; of Hanover;; two sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. Friends will be received Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the SCHROCK-HOGAN FUNERAL HOME INC. (www.schrock-hogan.com); 226 Fallowfield Ave.; Charleroi. Funeral services will be held Saturday; March 11 at 11 a.m. in the funeral home. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers; the family requests donations be made to: Susan B. Komen Foundation; P.0. Box 65039; Dallas; Texas 75265-0309.