Helen Kopko; 83; of Monessen; died Sunday; April 3; 2005; in Monongahela Valley Hospital Inc. She was born in Arnold City on May 30; 1921; a daughter of the late Blazak and Frances Bush Bialon. Mrs. Kopko owned and operated Kopko’s Grill in Monessen for the past 37 years. She was a member of Epiphany of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church; Polish National Alliance 976 of Arnold City; and Hilltop Firemen’s Club. She is survived by two brothers and a sister-in-law; Edward and Dolores Bialon of North Charleroi; and George Bialon of St. Petersburg; Fla.; a sister; Mary Coffee of Arnold City; a niece; Frances Fisher and husband Robert of Uniontown; her dear friend; William J. Pushkar of Monessen; and by several nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; George Kopko; in 1981; a son; George Robert Kopko; in 1976; a brother; Frank Bialon; three sisters; Johannah Frederick; Ann Wozniak and Victoria Golulski. Friends will be received Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the DALFONSO-BILLICK FUNERAL HOME INC.; 441 Reed Ave.; Monessen (724-684-8750). Services will be held Wednesday; April 6; beginning with a 9:30 a.m. blessing 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.

TED WAS A BRAKEMAN ON THE MONESSEN SOUTHWESTERN RAILWAY. HE DIED IN MON VALLEY HOSPITAL; CARROLL TWP.

James N. Trombino; 72; of Belle Vernon (Fairhope); died Wednesday; March 30; 2005; in his home. A son of the late James and Helen Sylvester Trombino; he was born in Monongahela (Black Diamond) on Jan. 19; 1933. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Belle Vernon. Mr. Trombino was a sergeant in the U.S. Army; serving during the Korean Conflict. A lifelong resident of Belle Vernon; he loved cars; especially Ramblers. Mr. Trombino was a self employed auto repairman and worked for Trombino Music Center from 1982 until his retirement in 1995. Survivors include his wife of 51 years; Nancy Pascoe Trombino; two daughters and sons-in-law; Cindy and Ken Smithhammer of Latrobe and Kim and Wayne Wichterman of Perryopolis; two sons and a daughter-in-law; James Louis and Sheila Trombino of Greenville; S.C.; and Vincent Trombino; at home; a sister and brother-in-law; Rose and W. James Grant of Pittsburgh; two brothers and sisters-in-law; Robert and Norma Trombino of Belle Vernon and Jerry and Dianne Trombino of North Huntingdon Township; and five grandchildren; Robert and Ryan Wichterman and K.C.; Andy and Kory Smithhammer. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by a son; Dana Scott Trombino; in 1966. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday 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 on Saturday; April 2; at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. Tim McConville officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Michael Sematic; 93; of Fallowfield Township; died Tuesday; March 29; 2005; in Mon Valley Hospital. Born Aug. 17; 1911; in McKees Rocks; he was a son of John and Anne Minrich Sematic. He was a member of Mary; Mother of the Church in Charleroi. Mr. Sematic was the projectionist at the former Coyle and State theaters in Charleroi. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II; having served in the European Theater and receiving a Bronze Star; World War Victory Medal; American Campaign Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law; Carol and Gerald Claybaugh of Fallowfield Township and Gloria and John Gombala of Lilburn; Ga.; three sisters; Rose Ann Seminko of Arnold; Mille McSherry of Astoria; N.Y.; and Anne Lowe of Portland; Maine; five grandchildren; Brendan Claybaugh and wife Tracy; Brodie Claybaugh; Sherri Gaglio and husband Paul; and Gary and Jeffrey Gombala; two great-grandchildren; Salvatore and Magdelyn Gaglio. He was preceded in death by his wife; Mary Motichak Sematic; two brothers; John and Andrew Sematic; three sisters; Verna Rados; Judy Sematic and Catherine Whitford; and an infant son; Kenneth Sematic. Visitation will be held Thursday from 8 to 9:30 a.m. in the LEONARD M. PAVLIC FUNERAL HOMES INC.; 235 Fallowfield Ave.; Charleroi. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. in Mary; Mother of the Church. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Memorials may be made to The Good Angel Fund; c/o Mary; Mother of the Church.

Joseph Minniti Sr.; 73; of Belle Vernon; died Saturday; March 26; 2005; in Mt. Macrina Manor; Uniontown. A son of the late Pete and Anne Minniti; he was born in Gerard; Ohio; on Feb. 28; 1932. Formerly of Monessen; he had resided in Belle Vernon since 1972 and was a member of the Belle Vernon American Legion; Post 659. Mr. Minniti retired in 1985 from the Monessen Plant of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corporation and was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict. Survivors include his wife; Mary Costarella Minniti; a daughter; Val Marie Minniti and her friend; Bill Rotolo of California; three sons and a daughter-in-law; Richard DeVincent of Hollywood; S.C.; Anthony and Carol Minniti of Summersville; S.C.; and Joseph Minniti and his friend; Kim of Belle Vernon; a sister; Minnie Sala of Donora; three brothers and sisters-in-law; Pete and Connie Minniti; Demetri and Gerry Minniti and Richard and Renee Minniti; all of Monessen; and four grandchildren; Ryan; John; Brent and Keith. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by a brother; John Minniti. Friends will be received from 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 on Tuesday; March 29; at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. Msgr. P. Lino Ramellini officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Members of the Belle Vernon American Legion; Post 659 will meet in the funeral home for services Monday at 7 p.m.

Frank G. Semancik Sr.; 81; of Belle Vernon; died Thursday; March 24; 2005; at his home among family and friends. Born Dec. 5; 1923; in Wickhaven; he was a son of the late Michael P. and Elizabeth Gurbal Semancik. A lifelong resident of Belle Vernon; Mr. Semancik was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; Belle Vernon; a graduate of Marion High School Class of 1942; a member of the Belle Vernon Knights of Columbus Council 3026 and the St. Vincent DePaul Society. Mr. Semancik was retired from Republic Steel Corp. with 42 years of service where he worked as a Manager of Procurement. He also was a veteran of World War II; where he served in the U.S. Army as a sergeant in the 25th Infantry. Those left to forever hold him in their hearts include his nine children; Kathleen Calcek of Indian Rocks Beach; Fla.; Connie and Richard Glasgow of Clearwater; Fla.; Judy and Donny Dodds of Wilmington; Del.; Frank G Jr. and Sharon Semancik of Pascagoula; Miss.; Anne Marie Semancik of Indian Rocks Beach; Fla.; Helene and Larry Roybal of Eden Prairie; Minn.; Lisa Semancik of Largo; Fla.; John E. Semancik of Birmingham; Ala.; Richard P. and Julie Semancik of Palm Harbor; Fla.; 13 grandchildren; Danita Neupaver Celaschi; Brian Neupaver; Laura Glasgow Corey; Karen and Kelly Glasgow; Meghan and Matthew Semancik; Katie and Erin Dodds; Sarah and Alex Roybal; and Ryan and Christian Semancik; three great-grandchildren; Sidny Celaschi; Alexis Glasgow and Brooke Neupaver; four brothers and sisters-in-law; John Semancik of Van Voorhis; Steve and Mary Semancik of Belle Vernon; Anthony Semancik of Fayette City; and Joseph Semancik of Belle Vernon; a sister and brother-in-law; Julia and Joseph Kluh of La Plata; Md. He was preceded in death by his wife; Bertha Blanche Lahoski Semancik; on Oct. 2; 1996; three brothers; Andrew; Albert and Michael Semancik; and a sister; Mary Miller. 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). Prayer Service will be held Monday at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home followed by Funeral Mass at 10 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 Frank G. Semancik Sr. on Sunday at 3 p.m.; and the Knights of Columbus will conduct services Sunday evening at 7 p.m. For those unable to attend; online condolences may be sent to the family at the funeral home’s web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.

Albert J. McCune Sr.; 84; of Belle Vernon; died Tuesday; March 22; 2005 in Mon Valley Hospital. A son of the late John and Marie Ambrose McCune; he was born in Belle Vernon on May 18; 1920. He was a member of the Belle Vernon American Legion; Post 659 and the Knights of Columbus; Council 3026. He had resided in Fairless Hills and Levittown from 1951 until returning to Charleroi and Belle Vernon in 1981. Mr. McCune retired from the U.S. Steel; Fairless Works in 1978. He served during World War II with the U.S. Navy; where he was an aviation ordinance man aboard the jeep carrier U.S.S. Core. The Core’s mission was to escort convoys to protect them from the German U-boats. His carrier group was responsible for capturing the German U-boat U 571 and returning it to the United States for display. Survivors include his wife; Evelyn Rodgers McCune; three sons and two daughters-in-law; Albert J. Jr. and Laura McCune; of Auburn Heights; MI; Richard McCune and James and Nancy McCune; of Langhorne; stepsons; George and Jodi Maund and Alan and Ellen Maund; of Charleroi; four sisters; Lena Sichi and Ange Koslosky; of Belle Vernon; Dolores ‘Babe’ Michaux; of Charleroi; and Rose Zeli; of Sarasota; FL; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; four step-grandchildren and one step great-grandchild. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by his first wife; Virginia Elizabeth McCune on Jan. 9; 1981; four brothers; two in infancy; Patsy and Michael McCune; and four sisters; Josephine Koslosky; Sue Baker; Virginia Michiewicz and Stella Rodgers. Friends will be received 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. A blessing service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The Belle Vernon Legion Post 659 will meet in the funeral home for services 7 p.m. Wednesday; followed by K of C services at 7:30 p.m.

Jerry F. Sutherland; 74; of Monongahela; died Saturday; March 19; 2005; in Mon Valley Hospital Inc. He was born Dec. 25; 1930; in North Charleroi; a son of the late George N. and Clemence Beaumariage Sutherland. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Monongahela. Surviving are his wife Sarah McCrory Sutherland; three daughters and two sons-in-law; Nancy and Philip Lisovich of Monongahela; Cathy and John Lexso of Newton Falls; Ohio; and Cynthia McCormick of Palmyra; two brothers; George Sutherland of Bentleyville and Ronald Sutherland of Mt. Gretna; four grandchildren; Craig Lisovich; Brian Lisovich; Keri Molter and Sarah McCormick; and two great-grandchildren; Andrew and Lukas Lisovich. Private services for the family were held at the ELEY-McCRORY FUNERAL HOME INC.; 334 Main St.; Fayette City; on Tuesday; March 22; at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Mark T. Woomer officiating. Interment followed in Belle Vernon Cemetery. On-line condolences will be accepted at the funeral home website; www.eleymccroryfuneralhome.com.

Samuel D. Curl Jr.; 65; of Speers; died Friday; March 18; 2005; in his home. A son of the late Samuel D. and Amelia Wainwright Curl; he was born in North Charleroi on Aug. 1; 1939. He was a member of the Speers United Methodist Church; the Daisytown Hungarian Golf League; Roscoe Sportsmen’s Association; Allenport Rod and Gun Club and the Charleroi American Legion Post 22. A lifelong resident of Speers; he retired in 2000 from Xerox Corp.; and was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam era. Survivors include his wife of 33 years; Judy Gosney Curl; a daughter; Christina Curl; of Monessen; a son; Sam Curl and fiancee; Kellie McGreal; of Speers; and a sister; Nanette Strother; of Morrisville; N.C. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends. Friends will be received from 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. Funeral services will be Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. in the Speers United Methodist Church with the Rev. William Hastings officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Julia Zubovic; 81; of Belle Vernon; died Friday; March 18; 2005; in Mon Valley Hospital. A daughter of the late Frank and Elizabeth Bodnar Kisko; she was born in Rices Landing on Nov. 19; 1923. She was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church and its Ladies Guild and the Belle Vernon Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law; Paulette and John Bazilwich of Medina; Ohio; a son and daughter-in-law; Paul Jr. and Donna Zubovic of Newell; five grandchildren; Eric Zubovic and wife Julie; Jason Zubovic; Kimberly Zubovic; Julie Dunn and husband Larry; and Mary Youngblood and husband John; and two great-grandchildren; Blake Zubovic and Emily Dunn. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; Paul Tiff Zubovic; on May 11; 2001; and three brothers and two sisters. 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; where a blessing will be on Monday; March 21; at 9:30 a.m.; followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Sebastian R.C. Church at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Lawrence Manchas; V.F. as celebrant. 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.