Helen L. Matta; 92; of Monessen; died Friday; April 29; 2005; in Mon Valley Hospital Inc. Born in Monessen on Jan. 29; 1913; she was the daughter of the late John and Barbara Fister Chackovics. She was a member of Epiphany of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church in Monessen. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; John L. Matta; in 1985; three sisters; Elizabeth Weible; Barbara Darcy and Margaret Wasilewski; and one brother; John Chadwick. She is survived by one sister and brother-in-law; Ann and Paul Matta of Monessen; two nieces; Kathleen Wolf of Delaware; Ohio; and Janey Matta-Rodriguez of Vanderbilt; and four nephews; Dan Matta of Belle Vernon; Bob Wasilewski of Colonial Heights; Va.; Tom Weible of Greensburg and David Darcy of Toms River; N.J. Friends will be received Sunday 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 Monday; May 2; at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home; followed by a 10 a.m. Funeral Mass in Epiphany of Our Lord R.C. Church. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Mary Bercini; 83; formerly of Dunlevy; died Friday; April 29; 2005; in Beverly Health Center; Uniontown. Born Oct. 1; 1921; she was a daughter of Sevarino and Josephine Spezza Sidone. Mrs. Bercini was a member of Mary; Mother of the Church Parish in Charleroi. She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law; Joseph and Jackie Bercini of Uniontown; and a daughter; Jo Ann Bercini of McLean; Va. She was preceded in death by her husband; Joseph Bercini; in 1965; one brother; Mike Sidone; and four step brothers; Albert; Louis; Angelo and John Mamie. Visitation will be held Sunday 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 Monday; May 2 at 10 a.m. in Mary; Mother of the Church. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Ernest L. Ernie Valdiserri; 80; of North Belle Vernon; died Saturday; May 7; 2005; in Canonsburg Hospital. A son of the late Silla and Lena Pieri Valdiserri; he was born in Belle Vernon on July 1; 1924. He was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church and the North Belle Vernon Fire Department; a former member of the Belle Vernon Lions Club; and had been a referee for recreational basketball in the Mon Valley area. Mr. Valdiserri was an avid sports fan; especially of Notre Dame football. A lifelong resident of Belle Vernon; he and his wife owned and operated Valdiserri’s Bakery until his retirement in 1987. Survivors include his wife; Nell Malaga Valdiserri; with whom he would have celebrated 60 years of marriage on Nov. 26; 2005; four daughters and three sons-in-law; Sheryl and Gary Cramer; of Mt. Lebanon; Teri and Rick McFerron; of Indiana; Pa.; Cathie and James Cramer; of Peters Township; and Valerie Valdiserri; of Upper St. Clair; a brother; Roger Valdiserri; of South Bend; Ind.; 12 grandchildren; Palmer McCloskey and wife; Christina; Kristen Dexter and husband; Kevin; Matthew Cramer and wife; Bonnie; Michael Cramer and wife; Jen; Katie; Jenna; Ashley and Jordon Cramer; Joseph and Nikolas McFerron; and Lindsay and Drew Hinzman; and eight great-grandchildren; Alex; Ethan and Lina Grace McCloskey; Adele; Gus and Colton Cramer; and Addison and Clayton Dexter. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday 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 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in the funeral home; followed by a 10 a.m. funeral Mass in St. Sebastian Church with the Rev. Ronald Cyktor Jr.; parochial vicar; as celebrant. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The rosary will be prayed at 3 p.m. Monday in the funeral home; led by members of St. Sebastian Parish; and the North Belle Vernon Fire Department will meet to hold services at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers; memorial contributions may be made to the Brother’s Brother Foundation; 1200 Galveston Ave.; Pittsburgh; PA 15233.

Rose Reda Dimasi; 99; of North Belle Vernon; died Sunday; April 24; 2005; in Mon Valley Hospital. A daughter of the late Frank and Mary Sinardo Reda; she was born in Thornwood; W.Va.; on April 17; 1906. Mrs. Dimasi was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church and its Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court 1522; St. Sebastian Ladies Guild and Legion of Mary. She also was a charter member of the Annita Garibaldi Lodge; was the current treasurer of the St. Anthony Society; a position she has held since 1940; and a member of the Belle Vernon Golden Agers. Mrs. Dimasi; along with her late husband; owned and operated the former Dimasi’s Bar and Grill in North Belle Vernon for 42 years; until retiring in 1977. Survivors include a daughter; Mary Catherine Dimasi Mondi; with whom she made her home; a son and daughter-in-law; Donald Joseph and Dovonna Dimasi; of Rostraver Township; two brothers; Victor Reda; of Mechanicsburg; and Arnold Reda; of Mill Creek; W.Va.; seven grandchildren; Joseph A. Mondi; of Belle Vernon; Lynette Murri Miller; of Leawood; Kan.; Muretta Murri Rethage; of Apollo; Renee Murri Lewis; of the state of California; Joseph Murri; of Sykesville; Md.; Deborah Dimasi; of New York City; and Cathryn Yackovich; of Murrysville; and nine great-grandchildren; Steve and Jake Yackovich; Megan and Margo Miller; Matthew and Michael Rethage; Aubrey Lynn Mondi and Scott and Alex Murri. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; Joseph Dimasi; in 1967; a daughter; Virginia Dimasi Murri; in 1989; two sisters; Antoinette Spina and Louise Collins; and seven brothers; Ralph; Sam; Paul; Ernest; Louis; Joseph and Gabriel Reda. 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; (724 929-5300); a Golden Rule Member Firm; 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon. A blessing service will be in the funeral home on Wednesday; April 27; at 11 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Sebastian R.C. Church at 11:30 a.m. with the Rev. Ronald Cyktor as celebrant. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The rosary will be prayed in the funeral home on Tuesday; April 26; at 3 p.m.; led by members of St. Sebastian Parish; followed by an Annita Garibaldi service at 3:15 p.m.

Alfred T. Jeffries; 88; of Charleroi; passed away Sunday; April 24; 2005; at The Residence at Hilltop in Carroll Township. Mr. Jeffries was born in Belle Vernon on May 16; 1916; the son of the late Fred T. and Harriet Wingenwroth Jeffries. He was a member of the Charleroi Presbyterian Church. Mr. Jeffries was a past president of the Charleroi Lions Club; and he also was a member of BPOE Lodge 494 and VFW Post 167; both in Charleroi; and had been an active member of the Charleroi Fire Department since 1946; serving as past president. Mr. Jeffries attended Penn State University for one year; where he played football. He was an avid fan of the Nittany Lions. He serviced in the U. S. Navy and was Chief Petty Officer in England. He worked at Riecks Dairy Bar and Milk Company and Sealtest for 37 years until 1972; then worked for Guttman Oil Company until his retirement. Survivors include two sons; Dr. Alfred T. Jeffries III; of Providence; R.I.; and John P. Jeffries; of Pittsburgh; a daughter; Susan Watkins and husband Ronald; of Carroll Township; two grandchildren; Graham W. Watkins and Curtis B. Watkins; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years; Jean Barger Jeffries; in 1998; and a sister; Mary Jeffries Whitelaw. 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 SCHROCK-HOGAN FUNERAL HOME INC.; 226 Fallowfield Ave.; Charleroi. Services will be held in the funeral home Wednesday; April 27; at 10 a.m.; followed by interment in Belle Vernon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers; donations may be made to the Charleroi Fire Department.

Carole S. Everly; 63; of Belle Vernon; formerly of Washington Township; died Friday; April 22; 2005; in her home. A daughter of the late James Percy and Aleda Albert Hileman; she was born in Pittsburgh on Jan. 30; 1942. A resident of Washington Township most of her life; Mrs. Everly was a member of Rehoboth Presbyterian Church. Survivors include her husband; John Jack Everly; a daughter; Susan Freeland of Harpers Ferry; W.Va.; two sons; Nick Albero and John Jack Everly II of Monongahela; two brothers and sisters-in-law; the Rev. Melvin L. and Ocie Ann Hileman of Rostraver Township; and James A. and Rochelle Hileman of Fairhope; three grandchildren; Ronald Bedner; Sarah Freeland and Mikey Freeland; and one great-grandchild; Blake Lee Bedner. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday 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 Monday; April 25; at noon with the Rev. Richard C. Klein officiating.

Lena Coates; 90; of Belle Vernon (Arnold City); died Wednesday; April 20; 2005; in Adult Assisted Living; Dunlevy. She was born Aug. 21; 1914; in Arnold City; a daughter of the late Frank and Mary Kuwada Belczyk. She was a member of St. Joseph Polish National Catholic Church in Fairhope and the Golden Agers. Mrs. Coates retired from the Brookvale Clothing Factory in Monessen in 1976. She is survived by her son; Ronald Coates and wife Joyce of Greenville; her daughter; Jean Lazzari and husband Rio of Belle Vernon; three brothers; Jack Belczyk and Andrew and George Belsick; all of Fairhope; five grandchildren; Tom Lazzari and wife Bebe; Darren Lazzari; Robin Haney and husband Robert; Lynne Kovatch and husband Alexander; and Christine Coates; three great-grandchildren; Jill and Edward Haney and Taylor Lazzari. She was preceded in death by her husband; Stanley Stoney Coates; on Dec 7; 1996; and four brothers and two sisters; Stanley; John; Mike; Joe; Helen and Anna. Friends will be received in the ELEY-McCRORY FUNERAL HOME INC.; on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to p.m. and Saturday; April 23; until 10:30 a.m. when a blessing service will take place with the Rev. Fr. Felix Pyzowski officiating. Interment will follow in the Belle Vernon Cemetery. For those unable to attend; online condolences will be accepted at the funeral home website; www.eleymccroryfuneralhome.com.
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Leo W.McCudden;age 86;of Perryopolis;Pa.;passed away Saturday;April 16;2005;in his home. He was born June 19;1918;in Scottdale;Pa.;son of the late Patrick J.McCudden annd Mary Ann Rowan McCudden. He is survived by his wife;Esther Jolley McCudden;children;David McCudden and his wife;June;of Lancaster;Pa.;Susan Magee and her husband;Richard;of Charleston;South Carolina;and Karen Kirmeyer and her husband;Richard;of Perryopolis;Pa.;seven
grandchildren;Natalie;Vanessa;Patrick;Corey;Chelsea;Chase and Tyler;and one great-grandson;Jake. Friends will be received in the BLAIR-LOWTHER FUNERAL HOME INC.;106 East Independence Street;Perryopolis;Pa.;on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.;and Wednesdy;April 20;until 11 a.m.;the hour of Service with Pastor Delores Globosky officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery;Belle Vernon;Pa.

Frank J. Crise; 80; of Belle Vernon; died Monday; April 11; 2005; in Southwestern Nursing Center. A son of the late Frank and Bertha Carson Crise; he was born in North Charleroi on Dec. 20; 1924. He was a member and Elder Emeritus of the First Christian Church of Monessen and served for many years as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Crise was a plumber and pipefitter with Local 354 and operated his own musical instrument repair business for 35 years; from 1965 until his retirement in 2000. He had his own band for many years and played in the M.A.R.S. band. Mr. Crise served during World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps. Survivors include three sons and two daughters-in-law; William D. and Bonnie Crise of North Huntingdon; Thomas J. Crise of Abington; Va.; and Alan F. and Rosalie Crise of Perryopolis; eight grandchildren; Brendan; Bradley; Bryant; Marie; Paula; Lindsay; Jonathan and Paul; and two great-grandchildren; Hattie and Mason. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by his wife; Jean A. Braddock Crise; on Feb. 22; 1994; and two brothers; Elbert and Leslie Crise. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday 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 Thursday; April 14; at 10 a.m. with Pastor Conrad G. Auel officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Fury A. Issi; 85; of Charleroi (Mapleview); died Saturday; April 9; 2005; in UPMC-Shadyside; Pittsburgh. He was born Dec. 5; 1919; in Charleroi; a son of the late Domenic and Mary DeSandro Issi. He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy. Mr. Issi was an avid fisherman and a member of the Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Fayette City (Brownstown). He retired from Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel; Allenport Plant with 44 years of service. Surviving is his wife Florence Solt Issi; two sons and daughters-in-law; Bob and Deena Issi of Speers Hill and Jack and Julie Issi of Rostraver Township; two sisters; Lucy Setaro of Orlando; Fla.; and Marie Celia of Philadelphia; and his grandson; Brian Issi. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by two brothers; Domenic Frank and Nicholas Issi; and two sisters; Edith Quisito and Julia Lococo. Friends will be received Tuesday 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 Wednesday; April 13; at 11 a.m. in Christian Missionary Alliance Church with Pastor Bryan Cinelli officiating. Family and friends attending funeral services are asked to go directly to the church. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery.