Aurora C. Olson Sherwin; of Rostraver Township; died Saturday; June 25; 2005. She was born the sixth of 10 children to Arthur and Clotilde Joris Rousseaux on Nov. 2; 1907; (the day the Charleroi-Monessen Bridge was opened). In 1936 she married C. Ted Olson; who died in 1968. Ora graduated from Monessen High School in 1926. She had begun her teacher training while in her junior year of high school and completed her studies at California Normal School (now California University of Pennsylvania) in 1927. Ora taught for 27 years in various schools in Belle Vernon and Rostraver Township. She is remembered fondly by her students and their families for her gentle and encouraging style of teaching. Ora organized the first PTA in Rostraver Township schools and was elected president for eight consecutive years. She was later honored for her service by the PA Congress of Parents and Teachers. Ora was a member of the Retired Teachers Association of Belle Vernon Area Schools. She was also instrumental in the development of the Head Start program in the BVA School District. She was an ardent believer in the importance of reading to children and published her own book; Mr. Happy; the School Bus ; in 2002. Ora was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star; Chapter 205; Monessen. She worked with her second husband; Claude Sherwin; on many activities at the Masonic Temple in Monessen. Ora was a member of Pricedale Union Church for 60 years. She sang in the choir until she was 80. Her love of music is reflected in her lifelong support of the musical talents of her children; grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Ora was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; all sisters and brothers; and an infant son; Carl Eugene; in 1940. She is survived by her daughter; Diane (Dr. David) Sommerville; of Cooperstown; N.Y.; her sons; Richard (Linda) Olson; of Phoenix; Ariz.; and David (Kay) Olson of Belle Vernon; with whom she made her home in recent years; two grandsons; Dr. Brian Sommerville of St. Louis; Mo.; and David (Maria) Sommerville of Rochester; N.Y.; and one great-granddaughter; Rory Sommerville of Rochester; N.Y. Ora will be sadly missed and treasured in memory by all who knew her. Friends will be received Thursday 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 funeral home on Friday; July 1; at 11 a.m. with Pastor James Mimidis officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The Eastern Star will have a service in the funeral home Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Sophie Helen Widiszewski Rizzutto; 95; of Belle Vernon;died Monday;June 27; 2005; at 4:50 AM at Mon Valley Hospital;Carroll Twp. Born January 28;1910 in Monessen;she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Anna Woytovich Widiszewski. A lifelong resident of Belle Vernon;Mrs.Rizzutto was a homemaker and Protestant by faith. She is survived by 2 Sons & Daughters-In-Law;Michael & Doreen Rizzutto of Brooklyn;OH and Thomas & Lucy Rizzutto of Mechanicsburg;PA;daughter;Patricia Aubrey of Belle Vernon;Pa;Daughter-In-Law;June Rizzutto of El Paso;Tx;11 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband James Rizzutto (10/7/1983);4 brothers;Joseph;Louis & Walter Widziszewski and Thomas McCluskey and 4 sisters;Helen Lenart;Frances Kochis;Genevieve Linn and Stella Andrews. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 2-4 & 7-9 PM at the Leonard J.Parzynski Funeral Home;Family Owned and Operated;626 Broad Avenue;Belle Vernon (724 929-6183). Services will be held Thursday at the Leonard J. Parzynski Funeral Home at 10:00 AM. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Sophie Helen Widiszewski Rizzutto; 95; of Belle Vernon; who died Monday; June 27; 2005; was preceded in death by a son; James Rizzutto; whose name was inadvertently omitted from her obituary in Tuesday’s edition. Arrangements were handled by the LEONARD J. PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME; Belle Vernon (724-929-6183).

Eileen J. Strumbus; 81; of Coal Center; died Saturday June 25; 2005; in Mon Valley Hospital. Born Jan. 10; 1924; in Upton; England; she was the daughter of the late Robert and Agnes Tooke Lamb. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; August J. Strumbus Jr.; and a granddaughter; Erica Fleming. Survivors include three daughters and two sons-in-law; Susan Gimbara of Coal Center; Mrs. John L. (Karen) Fleming of Charleroi and Mrs. Joseph (Lynne) Sinko of Coal Center; and two grandchildren; Rebecca Sinko and Jon J. Fleming. Visitation will be held at the RHOME FUNERAL HOME INC.; 1209 Grand Blvd.; Monessen; a Golden Rule Member Firm; on Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be private. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Konrad D. Luce; 72; of Belle Vernon; was called home; surrounded by his family; on Tuesday; June 14; 2005; in Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He is survived by his wife; Ethel Erdos Luce; two sons; Dale A. Luce and his wife; Arline; of Live Oak; Fla.; and Jeffery K. Luce and Dana Shupenko; of Belle Vernon; two grandsons; Jeffery T. and Michael J. Luce; a brother; Mherling Luce and his wife; Dorothy; of Oak Harbor; Wash.; and a sister; Judith Pawloski; of Belle Vernon. Mr. Luce had served in the Navy during the Korean War aboard the USS Missouri; and had been a member of the Citizens Association of Pricedale; the American Legion Post #695; Moose; East Belle Vernon Athletic Association and the Hungarian Club; all of Belle Vernon; and had been self-employed as a carpenter. Preceding him in death were his parents; Emerson and Nelle Myers Luce; and a brother; Wayne Luce. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC. AND CREMATION SERVICE; 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon; A Golden Rule Member Firm; 724-929-5300. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the funeral home with the Rev. Jack E. Hernstrom officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The members of American Legion Post #695 of Belle Vernon will have services at 7 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home.

Virginia Monita Urchick; 76; of Monessen; died peacefully on Saturday; June 11; 2005 following a lengthy battle with cancer. Born Aug. 29; 1928 in Ethelbert; Manitoba; she was the daughter of the late John and Mary Shlanta Monita. She spent a lifetime providing joy to others and was known for her unique sense of humor. A lifelong resident of Monessen; she was a member of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Belle Vernon and retired from Corning Glass in Charleroi. Virginia was a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Foundation. She is survived by a daughter; Dr Stephanie Urchick of Canonsburg; a son and daughter-in-law; Stephen and Tammy Painter Urchick of Safety Harbor; Fla.; grandchildren; Stephen and Marina Urchick; a sister; Victoria LaPenna; a sister-in-law; Anna May Hayden; and nieces; nephews and godchildren. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; Stephen Urchick; and her sister; Vera Merella. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and 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). Relatives and friends will gather Friday; June 17 in Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church; Mary Street; Belle Vernon at 10 a.m. with the Very Rev. John J. Kluchko officiating. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Parastas Services will be held Thursday at 8 p.m. in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Mrs. Urchick to the Endowment Fund of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church or to the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. For those unable to attend; online condolences may be sent to the family at the funeral home’s web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com

Isabelle Nevins; 88; of Charleroi; died Saturday; June 11; 2005 in Mon Valley Care Center. She was born in Warner on Oct. 20; 1916; a daughter of the late Charles and Elizabeth Morris Bendock. Mrs. Nevins was a member of Mary; Mother of the Church; Charleroi. She was retired from Corning Glass. Survivors include two sons and a daughter-in-law; James Nevins of Charleroi and Thomas and Carol Nevins of Carroll Township; one daughter and son-in-law; Dolores and Robert Beres of Tarrytown; N.Y.; five grandchildren; Michael; Robert Jr. and Patrick Beres; Ryan Nevins and Lori Hega; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; John Nevins; and a grandson; Timothy Beres. Visitation will be held Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday 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 Wednesday; June 15 at 10 a.m. in Mary; Mother of the Church. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Edith M. Winship; 90; Independence; MO; died Wednesday; January 19; 2005; at Rosewood Health Center. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm; Saturday; May 7; at The Groves Community Room; The Groves; Independence; MO. Contributions to Good Shepherd Hospice or the Stone Church Endowment Fund are suggested. Mrs. Winship was born February 3; 1914; in Charleroi; PA; to John and Carrie (Phillips) Wise. She lived in that area for most of her life before moving to Independence with her sons. She loved her family and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She was a member of the Community of Christ and had attended the Stone Church for many years. Mrs. Winship was preceded in death by her husband; Clarence Winship; a grandson; Darryl Winship; and a great-great-granddaughter; Kailey. She is survived by 2 sons; Donald Winship and his wife Alice; James Winship and his wife Patricia; her daughter; Jean Bruce; 4 grandchildren; David and Rick Winship; LuAnne Klee; and Charles Bruce; 10 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; and many other loving relatives and friends. A Prayer service in her honor will be held at 7 p.m.Wednesday;Jan.26;at the Stone Church Community of Christ. A Memorial service will be held at a later date at The Groves. Contributions to Good Shepherd Hospice or the Stone Church. Edowment Fund are suggested. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.speakschapel.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Speaks Suburban Chapel;Independence;Mo. (816) 373-3600.

Helen Yuschak Scheponik; 89; of Charleroi; died Thursday; June 9; 2005. She was born May 20; 1916 in Charleroi; a daughter of the late Andrew and Anna Obsharsky Yuschak. She was a member of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church of Charleroi; where she was a long-time member of the choir. Survivors include her husband of 60 years; Andrew Scheponik; one son and daughter-in-law; Thomas and Nancy Scheponik of The Village; Fla.; one daughter and son-in-law; Christine and Graham Watson of Bluffton; S.C.; three grandchildren; Tanya; Tom and Nick Scheponik; and one great-granddaughter; Katina Scheponik. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by three brothers; Stephan; John and Walter; and two sisters; Rose and Mary. Friends will be received Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m. in the ED MELENYZER FUNERAL HOMES INC.; 825 Fallowfield Ave.; Charleroi; where a Parastas service will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday. Funeral services will be held Monday; June 13 at 10 a.m. in Holy Trinity Orthodox Church with the Rev. Gregory Peterson officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Margaret P. Hogg; 90; of Belle Vernon; died Thursday; June 9; 2005. A daughter of the late Fritz and Celia Ferrari; she was born in Charleroi on June 15; 1914. She was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church and the former Catholic Daughters of the Americas; the Belle Vernon American Legion Auxiliary; Belle Vernon Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary; Annita Garibaldi Society and the Franciscan Third Order. Mrs. Hogg had resided most of her life in Belle Vernon. Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law; Darla and Eugene R. Quinn of Beaver and Margie and Richard Verch of Billings; Mo.; one sister; Philomena DeFranks of Scottdale; and two brothers; Albert Ferrari of Fredericktown and Ubert Ferrari of Clarksville. She was a proud Nonnie of seven grandchildren and their spouses; Mrs. C.W. (Dana) Worley of Hixson; Tenn.; Mrs. Jeffrey (Jeanne) Mochel of Garner; N.C.; Mrs. Quinn (Jennifer) Bayle of Erie; Johnny (Alicia) Verch; Robert (Julie) Verch; Gary (Natalie) Verch and Ryan (Chrissie) Verch; all of Billings; Mo.; 10 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandson. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her first husband; Baldo Bud Paterline; in 1966; and her second husband; Taylor C. Hogg; in 1968; three sisters; Marie Carl; Dolores Gray and Dorothy Ferrari; and two brothers; Robert and Joseph Ferrari. Friends will be received Sunday 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. A blessing service will be in the funeral home Monday; June 13 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 VF; celebrant. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The rosary will be prayed in the funeral home Sunday at 3 p.m. led by members of St. Sebastian Parish followed by an Annita Garibaldi service at 3:15 p.m.

Helen Backo Konick Koslosky; 70; of Belle Vernon; died Wednesday; June 8; 2005; at 12:12 p.m.; at Excela Health Westmoreland Regional Hospital; Greensburg. Born Nov. 19; 1934; in Hunker; she was a daughter of the late Rocco and Helen Palo Backo. A lifelong resident of Belle Vernon; she was a member of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church; Belle Vernon; was retired from the former Hill’s Department Store; Belle Vernon; where she worked as a sales clerk; and later worked as a nurse’s aide at Sphars Personal Care Home; Belle Vernon. She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law; Helen Marie and John Dudzinski; of Belle Vernon; and Dian and Gary Sefchok; of Greensburg; son; Jeffrey Konick; of Monessen; two brothers; Steve Backo; of Monessen; and Metro Backo; of Belle Vernon; nine grandchildren; Jonathan; Jereme and Jacob Dudzinski; Steven; Gary Michael; Justin and Matt Sefchok; Nicole Spoonhoward and Jennie Konick; and four great-grandchildren; Mackenzie; Chanze and Delaney Spoonhoward and Kaidyn Jaffre. She was preceded in death by her first husband; George Joseph Konick; her second husband; Donald Koslosky; four brothers; Michael; John; Joseph and Charles Backo; and three sisters; Mary Reeder; Anna Ray and Eva Smichnick. Visitation will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the LEONARD J. PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME; Family Owned and Operated; 626 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon; 724-929-6183. Relatives and friends will gather Saturday; June 11; for 10 a.m. services at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church; Mary Street; with the Very Rev. John J. Kluchko; of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church; officiating. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Parastas services will be held at 8 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. For those unable to attend; online condolences may be sent to the family at the funeral home’s Web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.