On Wednesday; Feb. 16; 2005; at 3:24 p.m.; Mary Ann Toia; of Lynnwood (Belle Vernon); was called home to be with the Lord. She was the former Mary Ann Sowko of Monessen. Born Sept. 21; 1929; she was a daughter of the late Rudolph and Julia Lenio Sowko. She had a sister; Matilda Sowko Stimmel; who survives and resides in Bethel Park. Mary Ann married Alexander Toia of North Belle Vernon on Aug. 7; 1954. They celebrated their 50th anniversary this past August with family and friends. She was a 1947 graduate of Monessen High School and a 1951 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh; where she studied pharmacy. She served the Mon Valley communities as a pharmacist for over 40 years; working at Fee’s Pharmacy in Fayette City; Fee’s Pharmacy in Charleroi (originally Fogel’s Pharmacy); the Medicine Shoppe in Monessen; and the Centerville Clinic; among others. Mary Ann also worked very hard to support her husband Alex in his income tax preparation business. After retiring in 1992; she enjoyed spending time with her family; including her oldest son; Thomas Toia and his wife; Cindy Hufford; of North Huntingdon; younger son; Greggory Toia and Susan; and children; Joshua and Greggory Alexander; of Belle Vernon; and her daughter; Lee Ann McDowell and husband; Timothy; and her third newborn grandson; Samuel Alexander; of Churchill. Mary Ann was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; the Catholic Daughters of America; and a longtime member of the local Civic Club. She also loved playing bridge with her Tuesday night bridge club; to which she belonged for over 30 years. Mary Ann will be missed by her family and friends and will always be remembered by her selfless; giving character which is a characteristic of a true Christian. We will look forward to seeing her one day again in heaven. 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. A blessing service will be in the funeral home Saturday; followed by a funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. in St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Daniel A. Makovics; 90; of North Belle Vernon; passed away Tuesday; Feb. 15; 2005; in Mon Valley Hospital. A son of the late Andrew and Anna Huhra Makovics; he was born in Donora on Dec. 6; 1914. He was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church of Belle Vernon. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II; he had lived most of his adult life in Belle Vernon and was a partner in the former Dolfi’s Supermarket on Broad Avenue; from where he retired in 1985. Survivors include a sister; Rita L. Dolfi; with whom he made his home; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC. and CREMATION SERVICE; a Golden Rule Member Firm; 724-929-5300; 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon. A blessing service will be in the funeral home on Friday; Feb. 18; at 9:30 a.m.; followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Sebastian R.C. Church at 10 a.m. with Fr. Lawrence Manchas; V.F. as celebrant. Entombment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The rosary will be prayed in the funeral home on Thursday at 3 p.m.; led by members of St. Sebastian Parish.

Dennis A. Zucconi; 76; of North Belle Vernon; went to be with the Lord on Sunday; Feb. 13; 2005; in Mon Valley Hospital. He was born Nov. 24; 1928; a son of the late Cammello and Madeline Mitchell Zucconi. He was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church of Belle Vernon. Mr. Zucconi was a life member of the Belle Vernon Musical Society; a member of the Charleroi Musical Society; and a former member of the Elks and Monessen Volunteer Fire Department No. 2 Fireman’s Club. He was named after the Rev. Dennis Murphy; graduated in 1946 from Bellmar High School; attended Washington and Jefferson College; and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Duquesne University in 1950. Mr. Zucconi worked for a short time for the former Sterns Furniture store in Monessen and retired after 30 years of service as a sales representative for Prudential Insurance Company of America; where he received many awards and presidential citations for top sales performances. While in high school; he had his own band that played for many local events. He played the trumpet in Frank Paterra’s band at the former Twin Coaches and Vogue Terrace for many of the big stars of the day in the 1950s. Dennis was an avid antique car collector and restored many older vintage cars. He and his sons had many happy hours together working on his favorite hobby. He also was an avid reader; especially of the Civil War era; and collected old coins and Indian artifacts. Survivors include his loving wife of 49 years; Joan Mayerchak Zucconi; with whom he would have celebrated 50 years of marriage on Oct. 22; 2005; two sons and daughters-in-law; Dennis A. and Annamarie Zucconi of Greensburg (Hempfield Township) and Bruce and Deborah Zucconi of Belle Vernon; a daughter; Marcia Zucconi of North Belle Vernon; five grandchildren and two step grandchildren; Kevin; Erica and Katie Zucconi; Launa and Benjamin Zucconi; Danita Novak and husband Bill; and Corey Signorini. 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; a Golden Rule Member Firm; 724-929-5300; 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon. A blessing will be in the funeral home on Thursday; Feb. 17; at 11:30 a.m.; followed by a Funeral Mass at noon in St. Sebastian R.C. Church. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The rosary will be prayed in the funeral home on Wednesday at 3 p.m. led by members of St. Sebastian Parish.

Betty L. Zuro; 84; of Arlington; Va.; formerly of Monessen; died Sunday; Feb. 13; 2005; in Oak Springs of Warrington. Born in Monessen on Nov. 18; 1920; she was the daughter of the late Fred G. and Mildred Isenberg Bowers. She was retired from C-P Telephone Co. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her brother; Fred Bowers Jr. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law; Jo Ann and Bill Blackwell of Manassas; Va.; a son; John Zuro of Front Royal; Va.; and a granddaughter; Laurie Brockman and husband Bill. Funeral services will be held Thursday; Feb. 17; at 10:30 a.m. in the Belle Vernon Cemetery Chapel with the Rev. Conrad Auel officiating. Arrangements are being handled by the ROBERT A. BILLICK FUNERAL HOME INC.; Grand Boulevard and Marion Avenue; Monessen (724-684-3700).

Dorean D. Purcell; 48; of Charleroi; died Sunday; Feb. 13; 2005; in her home. Born in Bristol on Jan. 30; 1957; she was a daughter of the late Jack and Arlene Bondi DeSellems. She was a member of Gospel Alliance Church of Charleroi. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her first husband; Richard Consonery; and two infant daughters; Mandy and Candi Consonery. Survivors include her husband; William E. Purcell of Charleroi; four sons; Steven R. Adair; Richard Allen DeSellems; and William E. Jr. and Thomas A Purcell; two grandchildren; Collen and Christian; three brothers; David; Jack and Ronald DeSellems; three sisters; Darla Conway; Debbie Byron and Diane Baker; and her step father; Robert Chew. Friends will be received Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the LEONARD M. PAVLIC FUNERAL HOMES INC.; 235 Fallowfield Ave.; Charleroi; where funeral services will be held Wednesday; Feb. 16; at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Joe Toomey officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Cornelius J. Connie Baker; 78; of Monessen; ascended Thursday; Feb. 10; 2005; at his Monessen home. He was born Jan. 25; 1927; in Lock Four; the son of the late Louis L. and Cornelia Swain Baker. He was Lutheran by choice and a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Monessen. Mr. Baker was a veteran of World War II and retired from Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel. He is survived by a step son; Ben Crawford of Belle Vernon; four grandchildren; Robert Crawford of West Newton; Wayne Crawford and wife Carlene of Vanderbilt; Kim Brundage and husband Mark of Ruffsdale; and Debbie Luciani; with whom he made his home; seven great-grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law; Leo and Lorraine Baker of Eldora; and two nieces; Barbara Winder and Peggy Jean Perrin. He was preceded in death by his wife; Jean Baker. Friends will be received at the RHOME FUNERAL HOME INC.; 1209 Grand Blvd.; Monessen; a Golden Rule Funeral Home; on Sunday from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. Prayer services will be held in the funeral home at 10 a.m. on Monday; Feb. 14; followed by funeral services in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Ernest J. Ernie Aiello; 85; of Bensalem; formerly of Monessen; died Monday; Feb. 7; 2005; in Bensalem. A son of the late Louis and Marietta Garofalo Aiello; he was born in Monessen on May 24; 1919. He was a member of St. Ephrems Roman Catholic Church; of Bensalem; and retired from the former Yale & Towne Corp.; where he was a production analyst. Mr. Aiello had resided in Bensalem for the past 27 years and was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law; Eleanor and Charles Koerner; of Washington Crossing; three sons; Ernest Aiello; of Houston; Texas; and James and Louis Aiello; both of Bensalem; 16 grandchildren; Gina; Chuck; Emily; William; Nicole; Jim Jr.; Amber; Adam; Roger; Colt; Alex; Spencer; Christina; Stephen; Heather and Justin; and one great-granddaughter; Isabelle. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by his wife; Elinore Nora Alessio Aiello; on Jan. 4; 1987; two sisters; Jennie Caruso and Florence Pingitore; and two brothers; Sandy and Pete Aiello. Friends will be received Sunday from 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. A blessing service will be in the funeral home on Monday; Feb. 14; at 10 a.m. with Fr. Lawrence Manchas; V.F. officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Margaret K. Marge Vesely; 92; of Dunlevy; died Wednesday; Feb. 9; 2005. She was born Aug. 26; 1912; in Fayette City; a daughter of the late Steve and Anna Durilla Ritarcik. Mrs. Vesely was a member of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church and its Ladies Guild; and she was employed by Hi-Way Appliance for more than 35 years. Survivors include one son and two daughters-in-law; Ronald D. and Bonnie Vesely of Dunlevy; and Arlene Vesely of Roscoe; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; Frank Edmund Vesely; on May 9; 1984; a daughter; Lois Vesely Domres; on Feb. 15; 1990; a son; Kenneth F. Vesely; on June 6; 1989; a grandson; Kevin Vesely; on Oct. 31; 1993; and two sisters; Mary Palveroksy and Dorothy Slaney. Friends will be received Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. in the ED MELENYZER FUNERAL HOMES INC.; Roscoe; where a blessing service will be held Saturday; Feb. 12; at 9:30 a.m.; followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Joseph R.C. Church with Father George Moneck as celebrant. Private interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery.
Margaret K. Marge Vesely; 92; of Dunlevy; who died Wednesday; Feb. 9; 2005; is also survived by two sisters-in-law; Edith and Tina Rihtarcik. She was preceded in death by four sisters; Anne Droder; Catherine Kaschok; Mary Palvekosky and Dorthea Slaney; and five brothers; Joseph; John; Steve; Frank and Carl Rihtarcik. Family members listed above were inadvertently omitted from Mrs. Vesely’s obituary. Private interment was in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Arrangements were handled by the ED MELENYZER FUNERAL HOMES INC.; Roscoe.

Mary D. Denti; of Monessen; died Tuesday; Feb. 8; 2005; in Monongahela Valley Hospital Inc. She was born in Monessen; a daughter of the late Joseph and Jenny Altemara. She was a lifelong resident of Monessen; attended Monessen schools; and was a member of Epiphany of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church. She is survived by her husband of 59 years; Patsy J. Denti; a son and daughter-in-law; Joseph P. and Sandra (Machusko) Denti; of Bethel Park; a grandson; Joseph R. Denti; of Arlington; Va.; a granddaughter; Suzanne M. Denti; of Philadelphia; and by several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by five brothers; James; Sunday; Robert Birdie; Joseph Peppy and Ernest Altemara; and by a sister; Theresa Altemara Dodaro. Friends will be received Friday 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 Saturday; Feb. 12; 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 Roman Catholic Church. Entombment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery Mausoleum.