Raymond Ellis Bud Hice; 83; of Perryopolis; died Sunday; June 20; 2004; in Victoria House; Monessen; after a lengthy illness. He was born April 1; 1921; in New Kensington; a son of the late Ezra and Hazel Firster Hice. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by two brothers; William R. Dodds and Gerald C. Dodds; and his step father; George Dodds. Mr. Hice was a graduate of Monessen High School and employed for 41 years by U.S. Steel. He was a veteran of World War II; serving in the U.S. Navy in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. Mr. Hice and 2;000 others survived the sinking of the first U.S.S. Block Island by a German U-boat of the coast of Africa in late 1942. He was a member and past officer of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Monessen. Survivors include his wife of 62 years; Mary Dacko Hice; whom he married on June14; 1942; one son; Raymond Elton Hice and fiancee Susan Schubert of Republic; three grandchildren; Jeffrey A. Hice; Todd A. Hice and Stephanie M. Timms and husband Nelson; three great-grandchildren; Mary Sue; Todd A. Jr. and Haley; one sister; Clara Elizabeth Betty Shutterly of Belle Vernon; one sister-in-law; Rose Janus and husband Paul of Monessen; one brother-in-law; Joseph Dutchko and wife Shirley of Perryopolis; many cousins; nieces and nephews; and a former daughter-in-law; Sue Beveredge. Friends will be received Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. in the ROBERT A. BILLICK FUNERAL HOME INC.; Grand Boulevard and Marion Avenue; Monessen (724-684-3700). Funeral services will be held Wednesday; June 23 at 12:30 p.m. in St. Nicholas U.O. Church; Monessen. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. A Parastas service will be held Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the funeral home.

Anna Jean Laird; 73; of Lynnwood; Rostraver Township; passed away Monday; June 21; 2004; in Havencrest Nursing Center. She was born in Monessen on Oct. 25; 1930; the only daughter of the late Harry and Bertha Mitchell Thomas of Belle Vernon. The late James and Florence Wilkenson Irons of Belle Vernon adopted her after her mother passed away in 1933. James Irons was a cousin of Bertha Mitchell Thomas. She attended Vernon Junior High School and was a member of the Vernon Senior High Class of 1948. In 1980 Mrs. Laird earned her Nursing Assistant Certification and worked as a Class Coordinator for Social Dimensions Institute; Inc. of Irwin. In addition; she was employed as a CNA at Hallsworth House Personal Care Home in North Charleroi during the 1980’s. She also worked many elections over the years as a Clerk at the Lynnwood Voting Precinct located in Pricedale. Mrs. Laird was a member of the Rehoboth Presbyterian Church in Rostraver Township and a member of the Women’s Tuesday Evening Civic Club of Belle Vernon. She enjoyed playing cards and belonged to numerous card clubs throughout her life. Some of her best times were spent enjoying over 40 years of summers camping in the beautiful mountains of Pennsylvania. She loved to laugh and was well known for her great sense of humor. More than anything else; she loved her family and friends up to the sky and back down all over the world; forever and ever . In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years; Wallace Laird Jr.; on June 18; 2004; two brothers: Bernard and Donald Thomas; seven half-brothers: Robert; Ralph; Kenneth; Virgil; Merle; Telford and Eugene Thomas; and four half-sisters: Phyllis; Violet; Pearl; and Mary Etta Thomas; all originally from Belle Vernon.
Mrs. Laird is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law: Gary and Sarah Laird of Cottonwood; Arizona; and Tracy and Elizabeth Laird of Concord; North Carolina; one daughter and son-in-law: Randy and Nancy Koslosky of Belle Vernon; five grandsons and three granddaughters-in-law: Bruce and Melissa Pendleton of Monessen; Ryan and Jayme Laird of Las Vegas; Nevada; Robert and Kelly Pendleton of Belle Vernon; Geoffrey Laird of Tempe; Arizona; and Erik Laird of Concord; North Carolina; three granddaughters: Rochele Laird of Las Vegas; Nevada; Amanda Pendleton of Belle Vernon; and Jennifer Laird of Concord; North Carolina; eight great-grandchildren: Chance and Cayden Laird of Las Vegas; Nevada; Tyan and Tayler Laird of Las Vegas; Nevada; Alyssa; Bruce III and Makendra Pendleton of Monessen; and Robert Pendleton II of Belle Vernon; one brother and sister-in-law: Raymond and Barbara Thomas of Tucson; Arizona; two sisters-in-law: Mrs. Bernard (Kathy) Thomas of Swansboro; North Carolina; and Mrs. Donald (Carmen) Thomas of Joplin; Missouri; two brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: James and Lillian Laird of Belle Vernon and David and Alana Laird of Phoenix; Arizona; six nephews and three nieces-in-law; Michael Thomas of Joplin; Missouri; Ronald and Donna Thomas and daughters Meagan and Devon; of Joplin. Missouri; Briant and Michea Thomas and daughters Breann; McKenna; Keely and Kaylan of Joplin; Missouri; Brian and Peggy Thomas and son Brandon of Detroit; Michigan; Kenneth Thomas of Tucson; Arizona; and William Laird of Belle Vernon and his fiancee Kelly Rockwell of Brownsville; four nieces and nephews-in-law: Karen Thomas and Ray Jagodzinski and children Jennifer and Matthew Braun of Detroit; Michigan; Cyndee Thomas and Chip Beach and children Nichole and Jesse of Detroit; Michigan; Eleanor Laird and Ken Beaver and children Devastasha and Leo of Sheffield; Ohio; and Elaine Laird and Chas Gaertner and daughter Greta of Carrboro; North Carolina; and numerous cousins; including Mr. and Mrs. Gerald (Betty Thomas) Schultz of Johnstown. Mrs. Laird is also survived by her baby ‘Midnight’ and an extensive list of lifelong loving friends too numerous to name. Friends will be received Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC. and CREMATION SERVICE; a Golden Rule Member Firm; (724-929-5300); 700 Broad Avenue; Belle Vernon. Funeral services will be in the funeral home on Wednesday; June 23 at 11 a.m. with the Rev. William Lawson; pastor of the Marion Presbyterian Church; officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to: Rehoboth Presbyterian Church; 442 Rehoboth Road; Belle Vernon; Pa. 15012.

Wallace Laird; Jr.; 74; of Lynnwood; Rostraver Township; passed away Friday; June 18; 2004; at Mon Valley Hospital. He was born in Monessen on August 1; 1929; the first son of the late Wallace and Mary Damore Laird of Lynnwood; Rostraver Township. He graduated with the Rostraver High School Class of 1947 and served as vice president of his Senior Class. As a trumpet player in the band; he was referred to as the second Harry James. He was also a writer for the Rostravette school paper; a member of the yearbook staff; a member of the Mixed Chorus; and an actor in both his junior and senior class plays. He served as a member; treasurer; and speaker of the Rostraver Class of 1947 Reunion Committee. After high school; he enlisted in the United States Army Reserve; Ready Reserve; where he served as a Cannoneer with the B Battery 14th Armored Field Artillery Battalion. He was activated during the Korean War and attended Leadership School at Fort Benning; Georgia. Sergeant Laird served as a Drill Instructor with the 680th Engineers at Camp Rucker; Alabama until 1951. He then served four years of inactive duty and received an Honorable Discharge in 1955. He attended several reunions with other members of the 680th Engineers over the years. He was a member of the Belle Vernon American Legion Post 659. Wally became a camping pioneer in the early 1960s. He spent every summer weekend; holiday and vacation camping with his family and friends until his illness incapacitated him this year. Mr. Laird worked as a Chief Research Technician for Bituminous Coal Research National Laboratory in Monroeville for thirty years. He retired in 1994. Mr. Laird was a member of the Rehoboth Presbyterian Church located in Rostraver Township. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by a special aunt; Elizabeth Damore DeRentis. Mr. Laird is survived by his wife of 53 years; Anna Jean Thomas Laird; two sons and daughters-in-law: Gary and Sarah Laird of Cottonwood; Arizona and Tracy and Elizabeth Laird of Concord; North Carolina; one daughter and son-in-law: Randy and Nancy Koslosky of Belle Vernon; five grandsons and three granddaughters-in-law: Bruce and Melissa Pendleton of Monessen; Ryan and Jayme Laird of Las Vegas; Nevada; Robert and Kelly Pendleton of Belle Vernon; Geoffrey Laird of Tempe; Arizona; and Erik Laird of Concord; North Carolina; three granddaughters: Rochele Laird of Las Vegas; Nevada; Amanda Pendleton of Belle Vernon; and Jennifer Laird of Concord; North Carolina; eight great-grandchildren: Chance and Cayden Laird of Las Vegas; Tyan and Tayler Laird of Las Vegas; Nevada; Alyssa; Bruce III; and Makendra Pendleton of Monessen; and Robert Pendleton II of Belle Vernon; two brothers and sisters-in-law; James and Lillian Laird of Belle Vernon and David and Alana Laird of Phoenix. Arizona; one brother-in-law and three sisters-in-law: Raymond and Barbara Thomas of Tucson; Arizona; Kathy Thomas of Swansboro; North Carolina; and Carmen Thomas of Joplin; Missouri; two nieces and nephews-in-law: Eleanor Laird and Kenneth Beaver and children Devastasha and Leo of Sheffield; Ohio; Elaine Laird and Chas Gaertner and daughter Greta of Carrboro; North Carolina; one nephew; William Laird of Belle Vernon and his fiancee Kelly Rockwell of Brownsville. Mr. Laird is also survived by numerous cousins and loving lifelong friends; including his best buddy Midnight and one very special redheaded Angel named Stacey. Friends will be received Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. 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 at 11 a.m. with Rev. William Lawson; pastor of the Marion Presbyterian Church officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to: Rehoboth Church; 442 Rehoboth Road; Belle Vernon; Pa. 15012.

Gust W. Monios; 77; of Belle Vernon; Rostraver Township; died Friday; June 18; 2004; at 2:40 a.m.; at his home. Born Oct. 28; 1926; in Monessen; he was the son of the late Manuel K. and Lottie Sarbiewski Monios. Mr. Monios was a resident of Rostraver Township for the past 49 years; a member of Epiphany of Our Lord Church; Monessen; and was retired from Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel; Allenport Plant; where he worked as a foreman. He was a veteran of World War II; where he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He is survived by his wife; Marie Monios; to whom he was married for 56 years; five daughters and two sons-in-law; Terri McBeth; of Belle Vernon; Valerie and Gabe Tischler; of Marshall; Ark.; Jackie Kovacs; of Gibsonia; Laurie (Reese) Monios; of Belle Vernon; and Jamie and Jack Porter of Owasso; Okla.; a brother; Manuel Monios; of Belle Vernon; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Visitation will be Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. and 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. Prayer service will be held Monday at 12:45 p.m. in the funeral home; followed by funeral Mass at 1:30 p.m. at Epiphany of Our Lord Church; Monessen; with the Rev. Ronald Cyktor Jr.; Parochial Vicar; as celebrant. 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 Web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.

Rose M. DiBiasi Amoroso; 83; of Belle Vernon; died Thursday; June 17; 2004 at 4:35 p.m. in Mon Valley Care Center; Carroll Township. Born June 14; 1921 in Donora; she was the daughter of the late Nicola and Gemma Amicucci DiBiasi. Mrs. Amoroso was a resident of Belle Vernon for the past 64 years; a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; Belle Vernon and was retired from G.C. Murphy Co.; Tri-county Plaza; where she worked as a merchandiser. She is survived by two daughters; Judith Ann Amoroso and Bernadette Rodgers; both of Belle Vernon; one brother and sister-in-law; Pete and Celeste DiBiasi of Donora; two grandchildren; Nicole Bigham and Courtney Rodgers. She was preceded in death by her husband; Attilio H. Amoroso; on Jan. 12; 1992; and five brothers; Dominic; Anthony; Nunzio; Angelo and Leo DiBiasi. 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). A prayer service will be held Monday; June 21 at 11:30 a.m. in the funeral home followed by a Funeral Mass at noon in St. Sebastian R.C. Church. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Members of St. Sebastian Parish will pray the rosary on Sunday 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’s web site at www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.

Louis Fiorino; 80; of North Belle Vernon; died Thursday; June 17; 2004. He was born in Belle Vernon on Dec. 21; 1923; a son of the late John and Mary DeRosa Fiorino. He was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; Belle Vernon American Legion Post 659; where he was a past president; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 699; the North Belle Vernon Volunteer Fire Department; Southwest Regional F.O.P. Lodge 87; where he had been a secretary for 10 years; the Mon Valley Chief of Police Association and a life member of the Western Pennsylvania Chief of Police Association. A lifelong resident of Belle Vernon; Mr. Fiorino graduated from North Belle Vernon High School in 1942 and was an avid basketball player for 20 years. He had worked for the P&LE railroad for 10 years; American Window Glass for three years; Westinghouse Appliance in Mansfield; Republic Aviation Company in Long Island for two years; Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Co. for 14 years; and the Private Industry Council; where he was a youth coordinator for three years. Mr. Fiorino was the chief of police in North Belle Vernon from 1967 to 1987; a truant officer for 10 years and worked for the Ferguson Funeral Home Inc. for 17 years. He was elected to the North Belle Vernon Council in 1990 and served until 1997; including council president in 1994 and 1995. Mr. Fiorino served in the U.S. Army during World War II with the 322 Combat Engineers in the European Theater from 1943 to 1946; including six months in Japan. His group was the most traveled during the war. Survivors include two sons; Louis Fiorino of Highlands; Calif.; and John Fiorino of Belle Vernon; one brother; Anthony Fiorino of King of Prussia; one sister; Rita Radock of Belle Vernon; and five grandchildren. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by one brother; Sam Fiorino; and one sister; Helen Yocolano. Friends will be received Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. 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 Monday; June 21; at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Sebastian R.C. Church at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The rosary will be prayed in the funeral home on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.; led by members of St. Sebastian Church. American Legion Post 659; VFW Post 699 and the Southwest Regional FOP will hold services at 7 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home; followed by a fire department service at 7:30 p.m.

Lucy Pender; 88; of Rostraver Township; went to be with the Lord on Wednesday; June 16; 2004; in the Residence at Hilltop; Carroll Township. Born Dec. 20; 1915; in Monessen; she was a daughter of the late Richard and Hilda Carne Pender. Protestant by faith; she had been a resident of Rostraver Township for over 50 years and had formerly resided in Belle Vernon and Monessen. She retired in 1980 as manager of the Rostraver branch of First Federal Savings Bank; where she had been employed for 30 yrs. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Survivors include several nieces and nephews; including Carol Kubalinski and Ruth Blackson; both of Rostraver Township; and lifelong friend; Linda Picchiarini of Belle Vernon. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by five brothers; Nelson; Stephen; Richard; Donald and William Pender; and three sisters; Beatrice Pender; Hilda Devlin and Dorothy Kitto. Friends will be received at the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME and CREMATION SERVICE; 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon (724-929-5300); a Golden Rule Member; on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday; June 19 at 11 a.m. in the funeral home. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Robert G. BoBo Lambert Sr.; 80; of Charleroi; died Tuesday; June 15; 2004; in his home. He was born Feb. 19; 1924; in California; Pa.; a son of the late Charles J. and Harriet Jean Lamb Lambert. He was Catholic by faith and a member of the Italia Unita and Russian clubs; both in Charleroi; and the Slavik and French clubs; both in North Charleroi. Mr. Lambert was retired from the Allenport plant of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel with 48 years of service. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II; having obtained the rank of corporal. Survivors include his wife; June Evans Lambert; with whom he would have celebrated 60 years of marriage on Sept. 9; 2004; two daughters and one son-in-law; Patty Lambert Garrick and husband Melvin of Monessen and Bonnie Jean Lambert Bailey of Charleroi; one brother and sister-in-law; William C. and Nellie Lambert of Ft. Lauderdale; Fla.; five grandchildren; Jody; Darla and Scott Bailey; Carrie Gaidos and Kellie Farquhar; and nine great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by his one and only son; Robert G. Lambert Jr.; on Dec. 13; 1984; and one brother; A.J. Terry Lambert. Friends will be received in the CARL J. SPALLINO FUNERAL HOME; 819 Fallowfield Ave.; Charleroi; on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday; June 18; at 10 a.m. in St. Sebastian Church; Belle Vernon; followed by entombment in Belle Vernon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers; the family requests donations through the funeral home.

Michael Kunca; 95; of North Belle Vernon; formerly of Monessen; died Sunday; June 13; 2004; at his residence. He was born Jan. 25; 1909; in Arnold City; a son of the late Michael Kunca and Mary Resetar Kunca. He was an employee of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel; Monessen Plant; having been a masonry foreman prior to his retirement. Mr. Kunca was a member of the National Slovak Society. He was an avid baseball fan and had been an exceptional player on various teams and leagues in the Mon Valley area. Mr. Kunca was also fondly remembered as being a senior citizen paper carrier for The Valley Independent for many years. He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law; William G. and Eileen Kunca of Belle Vernon; with whom he made his home; and Michael A. and Patricia Kunca of Wilmington; N.C.; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren; and two sisters and one brother; Mary Hrivnak of New Kensington; George Kunsa of Monessen; and Betty Trembach of Dearborn; Mich. Preceding him in death; in addition to his parents; were his wife; Kathryn Hanas Kunca; and two sisters; Irene Evans and Anna Gannitto. 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. Tuesday. Services will be held in the funeral home chapel on Wednesday; June 16 at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.