Thomas R. Jesick; 89; of North Belle Vernon; went to join God and his wife; Betty Sanko Jesick; on the 64th anniversary of their marriage; Sunday; Oct. 30; 2005; in Country Care Manor; Fayette City. A son of the late Peter and Mary Smith Jesick; he was born in Fayette City on Feb. 18; 1916. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and American Legion Post 659; both of Belle Vernon; the East Belle Vernon Athletic Club; the Charleroi Unita Italia Club; the Belle Vernon Musical Society; and he was a former member of the Belle Vernon Lions Club; where he served as co-coordinator for the Lions Club Little League baseball program. Formerly of Fayette City; Mr. Jesick had resided in North Belle Vernon since 1951 and retired after 48 years from the Allenport Plant of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Company. He served during World War II with the 347th Fighter Squadron; Headquarters Company 348 in England; France and Italy. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law; Robinette and Gary R. Kossar; of Belle Vernon; a son; Thomas T. Jesick and wife; of Pittsburgh; a sister; Margaret Jesick Brown; of Belle Vernon; six grandchildren; Gary Scott Kossar and wife Cindy; and Todd Christopher Kossar and wife Lori; all of Belle Vernon; Dr. Kalie Renee Kossar of Morgantown; W.Va.; Jennifer Jade Jesick; of the state of California; and Sara Joy and Bethany Grace Jesick; both of West Newton; and two great-grandchildren; Kaitlyn Scot Kossar and Logan Christopher Kossar. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by his wife; Dolores B. Betty Jesick; in 2004; two sisters; Clara Gardner and Helen Jesick; and six brothers; Paul; James; Edward; Frank; Victor and Maynard Jesick. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC. and CREMATION SERVICE; a Golden Rule Member Firm; (724-929-5300); 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon. Funeral services will be in the funeral home on Saturday; Nov. 5; at noon with the Rev. David Zona officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The Belle Vernon American Legion will meet in the funeral home to hold services Friday evening at 7.

Col. Paul G. Laird; USA Retired; 88; of Trieste; Italy; died Wednesday; Nov. 2; 2005; in Mon Valley Hospital. A son of the late Andrew and Edith Stemberg Laird; he was born in Brownsville on Oct. 26; 1917. Col. Laird attended Douglas Business School and later graduated from the University of Maryland. His military career; spanning some 35 years from 1935 to 1970; included General Staff in the Pentagon; various U.S. and NATO commands in Europe and administration in Vietnam. He was Comptroller AMG to handle the final stages of the Marshal Plan Fund in Trieste; Italy. His decorations and awards included the Legion of Merit; the Bronze Star and the Army Commendation Award. Paul always had the notion that each of us owes a service to our country and he tried to serve to the best of his ability and honorably. Survivors include his wife of over 40 years; Paola Laird; one son and daughter-in-law; Paul G. II and Joanne Laird; of Falls Church; Va.; two grandsons; Glenn and Greg Laird; a brother-in-law; Shelby D. Ferguson; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by 3 sisters; Ruth A. Ferguson; Bernadean Vance and Vivian Jesick. Friends will be received Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC. and CREMATION SERVICE; a Golden Rule Member Firm; 724-929-5300; 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon. Funeral services will be in the funeral home on Saturday; Nov. 5; at 10 a.m. with the Rev. David Zona officiating. Interment; with military honors; will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

John H. Haluschak; 79; of Long Branch; died Tuesday; Nov. 1; 2005; at his home. He was born Oct. 21; 1926; in North Charleroi; a son of the late Gregory Harry and Mary Woytovich Haluschak. He was a member of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church and the B.P.O.E. Lodge 494; both of Charleroi; Slavic Citizens Club of North Charleroi; the Teamsters Union and was retired from Wetterau. Surviving are his wife; Zala Swann Haluschak; with whom he would have celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary this month; two brothers; Nicholas Haluschak and wife Irene; of Perryopolis; and Michael Haluschak; of Long Branch; three sisters; Julia Kook and husband Walter of Ohio; Irene Leach and husband Regis; of Monongahela; and Dolores Maksemetz and husband Morris; of North Charleroi; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents; Mr. Haluschak was preceded in death by one sister; Florence Sowden; and two brothers; Simon and Theodore Haluschak. Friends will be received Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the SCHROCK-HOGAN FUNERAL HOME INC.; 226 Fallowfield Ave.; Charleroi. Funeral services will be held Friday; Nov. 4; at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home and 10 a.m. in Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Charleroi with Father Gregory Peterson officiating. A Parastas service will be held Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the funeral home. Entombment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Funeral services were held Monday morning for Luann Chalfant Madden; 46; of Belle Vernon; who went to be with the Lord on Friday; Oct. 7; 2005; in the IHS Greenery; Canonsburg. A daughter of the late Jack and Uarda Gray Chalfant; she was born in North Charleroi on Aug. 24; 1959. A lifelong resident of Belle Vernon; she was a member of the First United Methodist Church. Survivors include two sons and a daughter-in-law; Steven Madden of Belle Vernon; and Chad and Vivian Madden; four grandchildren; Shaina; Isaac; Carin and Malayna Madden; four sisters and brothers-in-law; Cynthia and James Kortina of Coal Center; Jacqueline and Don DeWitt and Janice and Ken Gray; all of Charleroi; and Nancy and Larry Snyder of Belle Vernon; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC. and CREMATION SERVICE; a Golden Rule Member Firm; 724-929-5300; 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon; on Monday; Oct. 10; at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. David Zona officiating. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Rosalie C. Konecheck; 88; of Belle Vernon; died Tuesday; Oct. 25; 2005; in Adult Assisted Living; Dunlevy. A daughter of the late John and Mary Giordanelli Costello; she was born in Gibsonton on Feb. 27; 1917. An avid bridge player; Mrs. Konecheck was a member of the First United Methodist Church; member and past president of the United Methodist Women and a former member and past matron of the Order of the Eastern Star; all of Belle Vernon. Survivors include her husband; William A. Konecheck; with whom she celebrated 65 years of marriage on Jan. 13; 2005; two daughters and sons-in-law; Kay and Rich Holland; of Gilbertsville; and Karen and Frank Jurczak; of North Charleroi; one son and daughter-in-law; William N. and Deborah Konecheck; of Fredericksburg; Va.; a brother; Albert Costello of Okmulgee; Okla.; seven grandchildren; Mary Ann Wassel; Lisa McMaster; Kathy Nogy; Richard Holland; Alan Nogy; Benjamin Konecheck and Joshua Konecheck; five great-grandchildren; Nisha Wright; Ryan McMaster; Martin Holland; Nicole McMaster and Aaron Holland; and a special niece; Kathy Medve; of Greensburg. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by three sisters; Catherine; Mary and Lucille; and five brothers; Anthony; Ben; John; Frank and Joseph. Friends will be received Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC. and CREMATION SERVICE; (724-929-5300); a Golden Rule Member Firm; 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon. Funeral services will be in the funeral home on Friday; Oct. 28; at 11:30 a.m. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Members of the North Belle Vernon Volunteer Fire Department will meet in the funeral home on Thursday at 7 p.m. to pay their respects to Mrs. Konecheck; mother of past fire chief; William N. Konecheck.

Isabelle C. Toth; 89; of Perryopolis; died Sunday; Oct. 23; 2005; in Jefferson Hills Manor. A daughter of the late John and Carrie Davis Costella; she was born in Coal Center on July 8; 1916. She was a member of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church of Perryopolis and the Catholic Daughters of America. Formerly of Belle Vernon; she was a resident of Perryopolis since 1993. Mrs. Toth; along with her late husband; owned and operated the former Toth’s Market in Lynnwood; Belle Vernon; from 1956 until their retirement in 1988. Survivors include one son and two daughters-in-law; Steven E. and Cynthia Toth; of Perryopolis; and Mary Ann Toth; of Belle Vernon; two daughters and sons-in-law; Loraine and Del Smith; of Perryopolis; and Wilma and Tom Fleshman; of Mechanicsburg; one brother and sister-in-law; Tom and Hazel Costella; of Belle Vernon; eight grandchildren; Monica Brannon; of Jefferson; Lori Ann Gargasz and husband Steven; of Sharpsville; Duane Smith and wife Darlene; of Perryopolis; Kevin Fleshman and wife Christine; of Fort Mill; S.C.; Wendy Post and husband Gordon; of Mt. Lebanon; Tad Fleshman; of Redmond; Wash.; Sara Anne Toth and Steven T. Toth; both of Perryopolis; and four great-grandchildren; Lucas and Benny Smith and Ian and Nathan Post. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; Thomas E. Toth; in 1997; one son; J. Thomas Tommy Toth; in 1999; five brothers; Frank; Johnny; Louis; Charles and David Costella; and two sisters; Catherine Brown and Carrie Bissell. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC. AND CREMATION SERVICE; 724-929-5300; a Golden Rule Member Firm; 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon. A blessing service will be at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church; Perryopolis. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Gertrude Marie Searles Stefanick; 73; of North Belle Vernon; died Sunday; Oct. 23; 2005; at 9:15 a.m. in Select Specialty Hospital; Pittsburgh. Born Aug. 11; 1932; in North Charleroi; she was the daughter of the late Howard William and Laura Mancuso Searles. A lifelong resident of North Belle Vernon; Mrs. Stefanick was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; Belle Vernon; and was a retired seamstress for the former Char-Land’s in Speers. She is survived by her husband of 49 years; Matthew E. Stefanick; two sons and daughters-in-law; Michael H. and Sandra L. Stefanick; of Donora; and Marti and Mary Stefanick; of Belle Vernon; one brother and sister-in-law; William and Joyce Searles; of Melbourne; Fla.; one sister; Wilma Ann Milligan; of Washington; Pa.; four grandchildren; Beth Ann; Michael Ryan; Matthew David and Brandi Lynn Stefanick; three step grandchildren; Brittney; Ben and Chelsea; and two great-grandchildren; Jesse and Thomas. She was preceded in death by her daughter; Mary Ann Stefanick; and two sons; Mark Stefanick and Matthew Stefanick Jr. Visitation will be held 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). A Prayer Service will be held Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. in the funeral home; followed by a Funeral Mass at noon in St. Sebastian R.C. Church with the Rev. Lawrence L. Manchas V.F.; pastor; as celebrant. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Members of St. Sebastian parish will pray the rosary for the departed soul of Gertrude Marie Stefanick on Tuesday at 3 p.m. in the funeral home. For those unable to attend; online condolences may be sent to the family at the funeral home web site; http://www.parzynskifuneralhome.com/

Betty Griffith; 84; of North Belle Vernon; died Wednesday; Oct. 19; 2005; in Thorpe’s Personal Care Home; Charleroi. A daughter of the late Lazear and Isa Nichols Shultz; she was born in Oak Forest on Sept. 28; 1921. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Belle Vernon and the former Tuesday Evening Civic Club. A resident of Belle Vernon since 1959; Mrs. Griffith was the owner and operator of Betty’s Beauty Shop for 33 years until her retirement in 1995. Survivors include two daughters and a son-in-law; Charlene and Jack M. Backo; of Belle Vernon; and Diane Rade; of Perryopolis; one son and daughter-in-law; Jack and Joetta Hoy; of Waynesburg; five grandchildren; Murray Hoy and wife Debbie; of Waynesburg; Suzette Fitzgerald and husband John; of Frederick; Md.; Scott Backo and wife Kristen; of Upper St. Clair; Brian Backo and wife Gina; of Munhall; and Jennifer Sevcik and husband Ron; of Perryopolis; and four great-grandchildren; Courtney and Karlie Hoy; and Ryan and Cecelia Backo. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; Charles C. Griffith; on Oct. 2; 2002; a son-in-law; Mark Rade; in 2003; a brother; Conrad Shultz; and a great-granddaughter; Kristie Hoy. Friends will be received Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC. and Cremation Service; (724-929-5300); 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon. Funeral services will be in the funeral home on Saturday; Oct. 22; at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Virginia Marie Saunders; 88; of Charleroi; died Tuesday; Oct. 18; 2005; at the home of her daughter; Helen Paterline. She was born Nov. 19; 1916; in Webster; a daughter of the late James and Clara Gilmore Prentice. Mrs. Saunders worked as a cook for 20 years at the former Charleroi-Monessen Hospital and was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Charleroi and its WFJ Sunday school class. She is survived by her daughter; Helen Paterline; of Fallowfield Township; two sons; William Saunders and wife Marlene; of Bedford; and Don Saunders; of South Fayette Township; six grandchildren; Daniel Paterline and wife Anita; Laurie Richmond; William W. Saunders and wife Shelly; Brad Saunders and wife Beth; Shari Clevenger and husband Mark; and Karyn Hedrick; eight great-grandchildren; Daniel Paterline; Kristie Clevenger; Allison Paterline; Jessica Saunders; Marlee Clevenger; Eden Richmond; Bryan Saunders and Bess Saunders; and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Saunders was preceded in death by her husband; William J. Saunders; eight brothers; James; Harry; Frank; William; Daniel; Eugene; Woodrow and David Prentice; six sisters; Ann; Jessie; Hannah; Marion; Georgina and Gladys; a son-in-law; Daniel Paterline; and a great-grandson; Logan Richmond. She was the last remaining member of her family of siblings. Friends will be received Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the SCHROCK-HOGAN FUNERAL HOME INC.; 226 Fallowfield Ave.; Charleroi. Funeral services will be held Thursday; Oct. 20; at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. Bruce Northey officiating. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Douglas A. Roberts; 76; of Belle Vernon (Fairhope); entered into eternal rest on Sunday; Oct. 16; 2005; with his loving family at his bedside. He was born Aug. 10; 1929; in Fairhope; Washington Township; the son of the late Earl and Rachael Mackey Roberts. He was a member of First Christian Church; Fayette City; a veteran of the Korean Conflict; serving with the U.S. Army; and a retired employee of SuperValu Co. He was a member of American Legion Post 484; Fayette City; a social member of the Belle Vernon American Legion Club; the Fairhope Rod & Gun Club; the Naomi A.C. Club; and the American Slovanic Club; Fayette City. He is survived by his loving and caring wife; Jennie McGowan Roberts; his children; Pamela Williams and husband Rube; Brian Roberts; and William Roberts and wife Tracy; all of Belle Vernon; a sister; Elaine Baughman; of New Kensington; and five grandchildren. Friends will be received Monday from 7 to 9 p.m.; Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday; Oct. 19; until 11 a.m. in the ELEY-McCRORY FUNERAL HOME INC.; Fayette City; where funeral services will be held with the Rev. Wayne Boring of First Christian Church; officiating. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery.