Jerome Usher; 48; of Belle Vernon; died Wednesday; March 2; 2005; at 3:35 p.m. Born July 13; 1956; in North Charleroi; he was a son of John W. Usher Jr.; who survives and resides in Rostraver Township; and the late Frances Olejniczek Usher; who passed away Oct. 26; 2001. Mr. Usher was Catholic by faith and a machinist for American Air Duct in Speers. He was a former member of the Fairhope Rod & Gun Club. Survivors include his wife of seven years; Theresa Rathka Usher; a step son; James John Palanza of Long Branch; two brothers and sisters-in-law; Thomas and Cheryl Usher of Perryopolis; and Robert and Martha Usher of Belle Vernon; a sister; Darlene Furyanic of Charleroi; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held Thursday 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). Funeral services will be held Friday; March 4; in the funeral home at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Lawrence L. Manchas V.F.; pastor; St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; officiating. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. For those unable to attend; on-line condolences may be sent to the family at the funeral home’s web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.

Dominick T. Shorty Canigiani; 92 of Fairhope; Belle Vernon; Pa; died Thursday; Feb. 24; 2005; in the Greenery Rehab Center; Cannonsburg; Pa. He was born Dec. 20; 1912; in Fayette City; Pa.; a son of the late Constantine and Frances Coni Canigiani. He was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; Belle Vernon; and a life member of the Fairhope Rod & Gun Club. He was retired from Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Allenport Plant in 1976. He was a butler in the White House during the Roosevelt Administration. He was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth Murt Canigiani on May 17; 2004; three brothers; John; Rudolph and Joseph Canigiani; four sisters; Pauline Traversari; Josephine Curcio; Mary Stimberg and Concetta Rocco. Surviving are three sons; James Canigiani and wife Elizabeth of Belle Vernon; Mark Canigiani and wife; Christine of Dunlevy and Thomas Canigiani and wife Patricia of Belle Vernon. Also survived by seven grandchildren; James Jr.; Danny; Jennifer; Jeanne;Thomas Jr.; Adam and Nicole; and five great-grandchildren; Hayley; Sebastian; Madison Rose; Rachel and Heather. Friends will be received in the Eley/McCrory Funeral Home; Inc.; 334 Main St.; Fayette City; on Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m.; Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Monday; Feb 28 untiI 9;30 a.m.; when a blessing service will take place followed by a funeral mass at 10 am in the St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; Belle Vemon with Rev. Fr. Lawrence L. Manchas as celebrant. Intennent will follow in the Belle Vemon Cemetery.

Mary Lepri; 94; of Clairton; died Saturday; Feb. 19; 2005; in Jefferson Regional Medical Center; Jefferson Hills. Born March 21; 1910; in Monessen; she was the daughter of the late Frank and Helen (Hadzab) Kozar. She was the retired co-owner of The Sewing Box in Clairton; a member of St. Clare of Assisi Parish; Clairton; its Women’s Guild and Ladies of Charity; Clairton Senior Citizens; and Sons of Columbus Genova Council 6 of Clairton. She is survived by daughters; Marlene J. Valvo; of Clairton; and Beverly Mazza; with whom she lived; son; Gordon R. Lepri; of Bethel Park; sister; Elizabeth Mazza; of Clairton; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; Ralph N. Lepri; sisters; Helen Lasich and Anne Zamiska; and brothers; John and Mike Kozar. Friends received from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the A.J. BEKAVAC FUNERAL HOME; 555 Fifth St.; Clairton. Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Paulinus Church; Clairton. Chapel service and burial in Belle Vernon Cemetery; Rostraver. www.bekavacfuneralhome.com.

Denzel Raymond Echart; 79; of Rostraver Township; went to be with the Lord on Sunday; Feb. 20; 2005; in his home. A son of the late Jackson and Mary Wood Echart; he was born in Fairchance on July 25; 1925. A resident of Rostraver Township most of his adult life; he was a member of the Pricedale Union Church. Mr. Echart retired in 1983 from the Monessen Plant of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Co.; where he was the general foreman of maintenance in the basic oxygen furnace department. A staff sergeant; he served during World War II in the Army Air Force. Survivors include his wife; Arlene Hille Echart; one sister; Doris Bush of Pricedale; one brother and two sisters-in-law; Clarence and Ethel Echart of Rostraver Township; and Erma Echart of Belle Vernon. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by a daughter; Laurie Zombek; on Feb. 11; 1986; a son; Kevin Scott Echart; on June 17; 1988; and two brothers; James and Charles C.J. Echart. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and 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; Feb. 24; at noon with the Rev. James Mimidis officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

John Hank Kaschok Jr.; 90; of Stockdale; died Sunday; Feb. 20; 2005; in Mon Valley Care Center. A loving husband; father and grandfather; he was born June 19; 1914 in Roscoe; a son of the late John Sr. and Maria Vanaczki Kaschok. He was a member of Holy Ghost Byzantine Church of Charleroi where he sang in the choir; a trustee of the Sokol Club of Stockdale and a retired steelworker for more than 42 years with Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel; Allenport Plant. Survivors include his wife; Alice Wislosky Kaschok; with whom he would have celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary on Sept. 23; two daughters; Joan Kaschok of Rillton and Donna Kaschok Armstrong of Belle Vernon; three grandchildren; Susan Marie Gentile of Squirrel Hill; Lori Russell and husband Randall of Fox Chapel; and Robert Thomas Armstrong of Belle Vernon; three great-grandchildren; Jonathan Beck Russell and Elizabeth Lee Russell of Fox Chapel; and Logan James Armstrong of Belle Vernon; a brother; Albert Kaschok of Cherry Hill; N.J.; and nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by two brothers; Frank and George Kaschok; and two sisters; Ann Jesko and Mary Petruschak. Family viewing will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the ED MELENYZER FUNERAL HOMES INC.; Roscoe; with a public Funeral Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts at 10 a.m. Wednesday; Feb. 23; in Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church of Charleroi with Fr. James Regan as celebrant. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers; sympathy remembrances may be made to Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church.
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Oleada M. Alessio; 82; formerly of Speers Hill; died Sunday; Feb. 20; 2005; in Shady Rest Personal Care Home; Charleroi. A daughter of the late Fred and Edna Hall Riskey; she was born in Perry Township on May 16; 1922. She was a member of the Speers United Methodist Church and; until her recent illness; had resided in Speers since 1965. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law; D. Richard and B. Darlene McBurnie of Long Branch; a brother; Fred Riskey of Twilight; seven grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; James A. Alessio; in 1987; a son; Bud McBurnie; in 1963; two brothers; Elmer and Joseph Riskey; and two sisters; Mary Stewart and Rose White. Friends will be received Tuesday 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 Speers United Methodist Church on Wednesday; Feb. 23; at 1 p.m. with the Rev. William Hastings officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers; the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.

Hazel A. Daugherty; 101; formerly of Belle Vernon; died Sunday; Feb. 20; 2005; at the home of her grandson in Fayette City. A daughter of the late Louis and Melina Tueche Larguier; she was born in West Mifflin on Sept. 6; 1903. She had been a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Belle Vernon since 1921; where she was active in the choir and the Monday night Bible Study. She had resided most of her life in Belle Vernon. Survivors include six grandchildren and their spouses; Debra and Rev. Douglas Tunney of Belle Vernon; Samuel and Kathy Roberts of Canonsburg; Cathy and Jay Riggle of Erie; Melonie and David Birch of Delaware; Dennis and Jane Pushkar of Jeannette and James and Dana Roberts of Fayette City; 16 great- grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren; and two nephews; L.D. Camino of Detroit and John Allen Camino of Florida. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; Samuel Daugherty; in 1985; two daughters; Estelle Roberts; in 1997; and Carol Pushkar; in 2001; a brother; Henry Larguier; in 1992; and a sister; Estelle Camino; in 2001. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday 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 Wednesday; Feb. 23; at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Douglas Tunney of the Christian Center officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Ruth Long Mascara; 88; of Belle Vernon (Washington Township); died Wednesday; Feb. 9; 2005; in Allegheny General Hospital; Pittsburgh. Born June 6; 1916; in Pittsburgh; she was a daughter of the late Rube and Anna Leonhard Long. A resident of Washington Township for the past 50 years; Mrs. Mascara was a homemaker and Protestant by faith. She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law; Robert and Louise Mascara; of Youngstown; Ohio; and David and Debbie Mascara; of Washington Township; with whom she made her home; four grandchildren; Frank and Andrea; of Youngstown; Ohio; and Joel and Megan Mascara; of Washington Township; a niece; Barbara Emery; of Willard; Ohio; and a nephew; James Long; of Ashtabula; Ohio. She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years; Frank Mascara; in 1988; and two brothers and one sister; Leonard; Robert and Jane Long. Funeral services will be held at Saturday; Feb. 19; at 4 p.m. in the LEONARD J. PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME; family owned and operated; 626 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon (724-929-6183). Officiating clergyman will be the Rev. William Ilgenfritz; pastor of St. Mary Episcopal Church. Entombment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. For those unable to attend; online condolences may be sent to the family at the funeral home’s web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.

John Torok; 77; of Monessen; died suddenly on Sunday; Feb. 13; 2005. Born June 13; 1927; in Perry Township; he was the son of the late Margaret Turis and Joseph Walanski. Mr. Torok was a member of the Epiphany of Our Lord Church in Monessen and a 1945 graduate of Monessen High School. He served with the U.S. Navy in 1945 and 1946 and retired from Page Aluminized Steel Corp. in 1992 after 30 years of service. He was an avid trap shooter; belonging to various local sportsmen’s clubs; and a Hunter Safety instructor at Rostraver Sportsmen’s Association for 20 years. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by a sister; Elizabeth Monosky. Survivors include his loving wife of 54 years; Joan Cook Torok ;of Monessen; one son and daughter-in-law; John David Jay and Debi Torok; of Clarksville; one daughter and son-in-law; Kristy and Hank Chavez; of Belle Vernon; a grandson; Johnathan Torok and wife Diane of Allison; a granddaughter; Kaylene Chavez; of Belle Vernon; a step grandson; James Wright Jr. and wife April; of Brownsville; and two step great-grandsons; Jimmy and Isiah Wright; of Brownsville. Visitation will be held at the RHOME FUNERAL HOME INC.; 1209 Grand Blvd.; Monessen; a Golden Rule Funeral Home; on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Prayers will be offered in the funeral home on Monday; Feb. 21; at 11:30 a.m.; followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in Epiphany of Our Lord R.C. Church; Monessen; with the Rev. Ronald Cyktor; officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Mary J. Holzapfel; 66; of Charleroi; died Friday; Feb. 18; 2005; in Mon Valley Hospital. She was born Aug. 18; 1938; in Monessen; a daughter of the late Melvin H. Cook Sr. and Mary Kathryn Groger. In addition to her parents; Mrs. Holzapfel was preceded in death by a brother; Robert Cook; a niece; Kimberly Cook; and a brother-in-law; John Torok. She enjoyed many wonderful years riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle with her husband; William B. Bill Holzapfel; who survives. She is also survived by a son; Myron D. Sprowls of Daisytown; a daughter; Mrs. Richard (Lori) Staley of Pittsburgh; two step children; William Holzapfel Jr. of Charleroi; and Mrs. Wayne (Linda) Valdiserri of Sun City West; Ariz.; grandchildren; Billie Lee and Daisy; great-grandchildren; David and Danielle; brothers and sisters; Joan Torok of Monessen; Melvin H. Cook Jr. of New Eagle; Patricia Staley of Finleyville and James E. Cook of Belle Vernon; and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the RHOME FUNERAL HOME INC.; 1209 Grand Blvd.; Monessen; a Golden Rule Funeral Home; from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday. Services will be held in the funeral home chapel on Monday; Feb. 21; at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.