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.

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.