Melvin L. Sterner; 76; of Dunlevy; formerly of Belle Vernon; died Friday; July 15; 2005 at 4:50 a.m. in Haven Crest Nursing Home; Carroll Township. Born Feb. 2; 1929 in Belle Vernon; he was the son of the late Raymond C. and Amy M. Hammitt Sterner. A lifelong resident of Belle Vernon; Mr. Sterner was a member of the Char-Belle Free Methodist Church in Belle Vernon and a retired supervisor for Columbia Gas Transmission in West Newton. He is survived by one son; Gilbert L. Sterner of South Park; two daughters and one son-in-law; Susan E. Keyock of Elizabeth and Janet and David Barcus of Dunlevy; one brother and sister-in-law; Clifford L. and Loretta Sterner of Belle Vernon; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife; Gloria Holmes Sterner; on April 21; 2003. 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). Services will be held Monday; July 18 in the funeral home at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Eugene Spear of Char-Belle Free Methodist Church officiating. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. For those unable to attend; online condolences may be sent to the family at the funeral home web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com

Irene Slavischalk; 84; formerly of Belle Vernon; died Thursday; July 14; 2005; in Victoria House Personal Care Home. A daughter of the late Adam and Mary Paruban Klawcho; she was born Feb. 20; 1921. A lifelong resident of Belle Vernon; she was a member of St. John’s Slovak Zion Church of Charleroi. Survivors include four nieces; Patty Testy and husband Dan; Nancy Rocco and husband Tom; Dorothy Jeffries and Kathy Allen and husband Jim; one nephew; Charles Jackowski; one sister; Bernice Burkett; of Belle Vernon; and one brother; Frank Klawcho; of Belle Vernon. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; John L. Slavischalk Jr.; in 1999; three sisters; Susan Rutkowski; Marie Pisula and Mildred Jackowski; and two brothers; Adam and John Klawcho. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC. and CREMATION SERVICE; a Golden Rule Member Firm; 724-929-5300; 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon; where funeral services will be held Monday; July 18 at 9:30 a.m. with the Rev. Richard F. Price officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Florence M. Knaus Petros Penska; 81; of Belle Vernon (Washington Township); died Thursday; July 14; 2005; in Haven Crest Nursing Home; Carroll Township. Born July 5; 1924; in Belle Vernon; she was the daughter of the late Paul and Mary Crasovic Knaus. Mrs. Penska was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; Belle Vernon. She was a beautician in the Mon Valley for several years and later retired from the Belle Vernon Area School District as a custodian with 12 1/2 years of service. Mrs. Penska then pursued her hobby of entertaining people with her ethnic costumes and playing polka music. She belonged to the Slovene Heritage Association where they put on shows showcasing costumes from every region of Slovene. They performed in Colorado; Ironworld; Minnesota; Wisconsin; Ellis Island Statue of Liberty; Ohio; Michigan and Canada; among many other places. Mrs. Penska also was a member of the Thursday Niters Button Box Club and played all over the United States and for several years at the Kitchner-Waterloo Octoberfest in Canada. She also played backup music for performances at the David Lawrence Convention Center and Renzie Hauser Park in McKeesport. The band also played at many church festivals and functions in the Pittsburgh area and in our region. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law; Mark and Rosemary Petros of Belle Vernon; two daughters and sons-in-law; Valerie and Edward Mendola of Charleroi and Eileen and Thomas Costella of Belle Vernon; a brother and sister-in-law; Robert and Lois Knaus of St. Louis; Mo.; a sister and brother-in-law; Mildred and Frank Mazzei of Belle Vernon; five grandchildren; Edward and Eric Mendola; Ciara Petros and Nicole and Nathan Costella; four great-grandchildren; Trevor; Mitchell; Ian and Avery Mendola. She was preceded in death by her first husband; Edward Petros. Visitation will be held Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 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 Saturday; July 16 at 9 a.m. in the funeral home followed by a Funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m. in St. Sebastian R.C. Church with the Rev. Lawrence L. Manchas V.F.; pastor; as celebrant. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Members of St. Sebastian parish will pray the rosary for the departed soul of Florence Penska Friday 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; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com

Betty June Williams; 73; of Perryopolis (Jefferson Township); died Wednesday; July 13; 2005; in Mon Valley Hospital. She was born Feb. 22; 1932; in Belle Vernon; a daughter of the late Fred P. and Mary Ann Smith English. She was a member of First Christian Church in Fayette City. Surviving are a son; James A. Williams; of Canonsburg; a daughter; Linda Eustis; of Crawfordville; Fla.; five brothers; Harry English; of Charleroi; Robert English; of Las Vegas; Nev.; William English; of Oklahoma City; Okla.; Thomas English; of Florida; and Daniel English; of Irwin; Tenn.; three sisters; Marjorie Breckenridge; of Belle Vernon; Laura Nichols; of Fayette City; and Ethel McKee; of Cleveland; Ohio; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Friends will be received in the ELEY-McCRORY FUNERAL HOME INC.; 334 Main St.; Fayette City; on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturday; July 16; until 10 a.m.; the hour of services in the funeral home with the Rev. Wayne Boring officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. For those unable to attend; on-line condolences will be accepted at the funeral home website; www.eleymccroryfuneralhome.com

Donna Kaschok Armstrong; 60; of Belle Vernon; died Wednesday; July 13; 2005; in UPMC Shadyside. She was born July 8; 1945; in North Charleroi; a daughter of Alice Wislosky Kaschok and the late John Kaschok Jr. She was baptized in Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church; of Charleroi; and was a retired legislative assistant. Donna enjoyed spending her time with family and friends. Survivors include her mother; Alice Kaschok; of Stockdale; daughter; Lori and husband; Randall Russell; of Fox Chapel; son; Robert Thomas Armstrong; of Belle Vernon; three grandchildren; Jonathan Beck Russell and Elizabeth Lee Russell; of Fox Chapel; and Logan James Armstrong; of Belle Vernon; sister; Joan Kaschok; of Rillton; niece; Susan Gentile; of Squirrel Hill; and her dearest friend; Carole Busch-Cappetta. She was preceded in death by her father; John Kaschok Jr. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the ED MELENYZER FUNERAL HOMES INC.; Roscoe. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers; sympathy remembrances may be made to: Pittsburgh Oratory Homeless Ministry; 4450 Bayard St.; Pittsburgh; PA 15213; or Pet Connection; 127 Sunrise Lane; Avonmore; PA 15618.

Harry L. Baker Downer; 56; of Belle Vernon (Fairhope); died Saturday; July 9; 2005 in Mon Valley Hospital Inc. He was born Sept. 5; 1948 in Brownsville; a son of the late William and Louvada Thompson Downer. He was a member of the Naomi AC Club and the California Italian Club. Mr. Downer was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War. He was retired from SuperValu Inc. He is survived by his wife; Teresa Terry Misher Downer; two daughters; Jody Lynn Downer; at home; and Rebecca Becky Leigh Wheatley and husband Jesse of Ashburn; Va.; a son; Douglas S. Downer; at home; a brother; Carl Skip Downer of Newell; twp sisters; Mary Bock and Barbara Miller; both of Newell; and one grandson; Garrison Wheatley. He was preceded in death by three brothers; Joseph; William and Kenneth; and two sisters; Wilma and Della. Friends will be received in the ELEY-McCRORY FUNERAL HOME INC.; 334 Main St.; Fayette City on Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday; July 12 until 10 a.m.; the hour of service in the funeral home with the Rev. James Pond officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. For those unable to attend; on-line condolences will be accepted at the funeral home website; www.eleymccroryfuneralhome.com

Savilla J. Nole; 88; of Bradenton; Fla.; went to be with our Lord on Sunday; June 19; 2005. She was born Oct. 13; 1916 in Connellsville; a daughter of the late Richard and Ethel McLain. She was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church of Anna Marie Island; Fla. Mrs. Nole was preceded in death by her husband; John T. Nole Sr.; two sisters; Helen Fee and Ruth Wheatley; one brother; Harold McLain; one grandson; Eric Nole; one great-grandson; Jesse Nole; one great-granddaughter; Brooklyn Talley. Surviving are two sons and one daughter-in-law;; John T. Jr. and Nova R. Nole of Genoa; Neb.; Richard M. Nole; of Bradenton; Fla.; three daughters and sons-in-law; Helen and Merle Davis of Anna Marie Island; Fla.; Agnes and Fred Vernet of Donora; and Sheila and Greg Oberhofer of Bradenton; Fla.; one sister and brother-in-law; NaOma and Al Dattis of Rostraver Township; 14 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; and many beloved nieces and nephews. A Funeral Mass was held in Our Lady of the Angels Church in Bradenton; Fla. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Mary R. Rogowitz; 92; formerly of Monessen; died Thursday; June 30; 2005; in Cameron Glen Nursing Home; Reston; Va. Born in Belle Vernon on May 13; 1913; she was the daughter of the late Dominic and Mary Ferderico Rizzutto. Mrs. Rogowitz moved to Virginia to be near her son in 1992. She was an active member and volunteer in the Cascades Senior Center and traveled extensively in the last 13 years; including four cruises and two trips to Europe. While in Monessen she was a member and past president of the VFW Post 1190 Ladies Auxiliary. She was a former member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church in Belle Vernon and a current member of St. Andrews the Apostle Roman Catholic Church. She was preceded in death by her husband; Joseph Rogowitz; in 1981; five brothers; James; Samuel; Albert; Joseph and Robert Rizzutto; and three sisters; Theresa; Ann and Margaret. She is survived by a son; Harry M. Rogowitz of Oakton; Va.; a brother; Louis Rizzutto of Pittsburgh; a sister; Doris Jean of Hernando; Fla.; several nieces and nephews; and a granddog; Mikki Anne. Friends will be received in the ROBERT A. BILLICK FUNERAL HOME INC.; Grand Boulevard and Marion Avenue; Monessen (724-684-3700) on Tuesday; July 5 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday; July 6; at 1 p.m. in St. Sebastian R.C. Church. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers; the family suggests donations be made in Mrs. Rogowitz’s memory to: Senior Center at Cascades; 21060 Whitfield Place; Sterling; Va. 20165.

Myles E. Butch Liston; 55; of Belle Vernon; died Friday; July 1; 2005; in Jefferson Regional Health System; Jefferson Borough. Born Sept. 29; 1949; in Brownsville; he was the son of the late James E. and Ethel M. Dolan Fertal. A lifelong resident of Belle Vernon; Mr. Liston was Catholic by faith and the owner and operator of the Smithton Hotel. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War. Mr. Liston also was a member of Smithton American Legion Post 790. He is survived by his wife; Margaret Marks Liston to whom he was married 34 years; a son and daughter; Myles K. Butchie and Nichole L. Liston; both at home; his step father; Thomas Buddy Fertal of Belle Vernon; two brothers and a sister-in-law; Thomas Fertal of Belle Vernon and Eric and Renee Fertal of Brownsville; two sisters and a brother-in-law; Catherine Sue and Joseph Buddy Mattey of Brownsville and Deborah Fertal of Whitsett; one aunt; Ruth Dolan of Brownsville; many nieces and nephews and a great-niece and nephew. He was preceded in death by his uncle; Lawrence Sonny Dolan. 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). Services will be held Wednesday; July 6 in the funeral home at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Lawrence L; Manchas V.F.; pastor of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; officiating. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery. St. Sebastian Legion of Mary will pray the rosary for the departed soul of Myles Liston on Tuesday at 3 p.m. For those unable to attend; online condolences may be sent to the family at the funeral home’s web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com

David James Jim Tatsch; 65; of Monessen; died Friday; June 17; 2005; in Mon Valley Hospital. A son of the late Louis and Mary Jane Armiger Tatsch; he was born in Monessen on May 12; 1940. Catholic by faith; he was a lifelong resident of Monessen. Mr. Tatsch worked as a printer throughout the Mon Valley and was formerly a member of the Raven’s Club. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam Era. Survivors include his wife of 27 years; Joyce Rosborough Tatsch; one son; Timothy Tatsch of Monessen; two sisters and one brother-in-law; Patricia Gogol of Monessen and Verene and Charles Schaming of Belle Vernon; three brothers and sisters-in-law; Louis R. and Margaret Tatsch of Sheffield Village; Ohio; Thomas Jeffrey and Diane Tatsch; and John Martin Tatsch; all of Monessen; and Tina Tatsch of Belle Vernon; one uncle and aunt; Robert and Laverne Tatsch of Monessen and many nieces; nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by one brother; Edward Allan Tatsch; in 1997; and one brother-in-law; Raymond Gogol; in 1989. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday 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 held in the funeral home on Monday at 8:30 p.m. with Rev. Msgr. P. Lino Ramellini officiating.