Albertine Alexander Novak; 82; of Charleroi; died Wednesday; March 17; 2004; in Mon Valley Hospital. She was born March 27; 1921; in Charleroi; a daughter of the late John Louis and Minnie Evelyn Vogel Alexander. Mrs. Novak was a member of the First Christian Church of Charleroi; Order of Eastern Star Monongahela Chapter 108; White Shrine of Jerusalem; Monongahela Valley White Shrine; and the Good Neighbor Club. She is survived by her son; Dr. Louis Novak and wife Jill of Paris; Texas; two granddaughters; Heather Wells and husband Todd; and Hilary McIntire and husband Joe; and two great-grandchildren; Caitlyn Bre’ McIntire and Thomas Alexander Wells. In addition to her parents; Mrs. Novak was preceded in death by her husband; John L. Novak; on July 14; 1996; and one sister; Dorothy Stasicha. Friends will be received Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the SCHROCK-HOGAN FUNERAL HOME INC.; 226 Fallowfield Ave.; Charleroi. OES services will be held Friday at 7 p.m. in the funeral home; immediately followed by White Shrine of Jerusalem services. Funeral services will be held Saturday; March 20 at 10 a.m. in First Christian Church; Walnut Ridge Road; Fallowfield Township; Charleroi. Officiating clergyman will be the Rev. Jim Linn. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers; the family has requested memorial contributions be made to the First Christian Church of Charleroi in memory of Albertine A. Novak.

Dolores B. Betty Jesick; 82; of Speer Street; Belle Vernon; died Sunday; March 14; 2004; in Mon Valley Hospital. A daughter of the late John and Alice Henry Sanko; she was born March 28; 1921; in Charleroi. She was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; the Tuesday Evening Civic Club; the Mon Valley Hospital Ladies Auxiliary and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas; Court 1522. Formerly of Charleroi; she had resided in Belle Vernon since 1950. Survivors include her husband of 63 years; Thomas R. Jesick; one daughter and son-in-law; Robinette and Gary R. Kossar of Belle Vernon; one son; Thomas T. Jesick; six grandchildren; Gary Scott Kossar and wife Cindy; and Todd Christopher Kossar and wife Lori; all of Belle Vernon; Dr. Kalie Renee Kossar of Morgantown; W.Va.; Jennifer Jade Jesick of the state of California; and Sara Joy Jesick and Bethany Grace Jesick; both of West Newton; and two great-grandchildren; Kaitlyn Scot Kossar and Logan Christopher Kossar. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC. and CREMATION SERVICE; (724-929-5300); 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon. A blessing service will be in the funeral home on Thursday; March 18 at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Lawrence Manches officiating. 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.

Ruth A. Strong; 93; of West Newton; died Saturday; March 13; 2004; in Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born Oct. 18; 1910; in Monessen; a daughter of the late David Owen and Margaret Jones Roberts. Mrs. Strong was a member of First Baptist Church; Belle Vernon. She was preceded in death by three husbands; Max Harper; Fritz Bonucci and Arthur Strong. She is survived by her daughter; Sharon Harper Martinelli Hoyle of West Newton; two grandsons; Anthony and Shawn Martinelli; and great-grandchildren. Friends will be received Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the RALPH L. JOHNSON FUNERAL HOME; Buena Vista. Services will be held in the funeral home at 11 a.m. Tuesday with the Rev. Eric Parks officiating. Entombment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Margaret M. Halkowitz; 75; of Belle Vernon; Rostraver Township; died Sunday; March 7; 2004; at 2:20 p.m. in at South Western Nursing Center; West Miff1in. Born March 3; 1929; in Belle Vernon; she was the daughter of the late Michael and Magdalene Derda Halkowitz. She was a lifelong resident of Rostraver Township; member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church in Belle Vernon; where she was a member of the church choir; and she was retired from Mon Valley Hospital; where she worked as a registered nurse. Mrs. Halkowitz graduated from Rostraver High School and St. Francis School of Nursing and served 11 years in the U.S. Navy Nurses Corps during the Korean Conflict and Vietnam Era with the rank of LCDR. She is survived by one sister; Magdalene Greenway of Pittsburgh; 10 nieces and nephews; Michael Halkowitz of Tennessee; Ronald Halkowitz of Brownsville; Janice Lancoski of Daisytown; Deborah A. Greenway of Pittsburgh; Regis Greenway of Mechanicsburg; Mary Margaret Weathers of Alabama; Michele Greenway of Pittsburgh; Susan Palmer of Bernville; Cathy Stewart of Fredericksburg and James Wittaker of Eighty Four; 17 great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one brother and sister; Alexander Halkowitz and Frances Wittaker. Relatives and friends will gather at St. Sebastian R.C. Church on Saturday; March 13 for a Funeral Mass at 9 a.m. with the Rev. Ronald Cyktor Jr.; parochial vicar; as celebrant. The LEONARD J. PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME; family owned and operated; 626 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon (724-929-6193); is in charge of arrangements. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The parish rosary will be prayed Saturday at 8:30 a.m. in the church. The family suggests donations be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society; Mon Valley Council. For those unable to attend; online condolences may be sent to the family at the funeral home’s web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.

Funeral services were held this morning for Anna L. Planey; 79; of Fayette City; who died Thursday; March 11; 2004; in Mon Valley Hospital. She was born Aug. 30; 1924; in Whitsett; a daughter of the late Balto and Dora Nentzy Buretz. Mrs. Planey was a member of Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church; Charleroi. She was preceded in death by her husband; John Planey; on Sept. 9; 1981; four brothers; Joseph; John; Steve and Andy Buretz; and two sisters; Barbara Buretz and Mary Lux. She is survived by her children; Robert J. Planey and wife Bernadette of Mt. Joy; and Patty Makovsky and husband Leo of Fayette City; four sisters-in-law; Betty Planey; with whom she made her home the past 57 years; Margaret Foglia; Marie Planey and Mimi Buretz; three grandchildren; Michele Crivello and husband Ralph; Nicole Schwartz and husband Bob; and Rob Planey; five great-grandchildren; Jen; Ralphie; Kaila and Kristie Crivello and Joshua Schwartz; and 13 nieces and nephews. A Funeral Liturgy was held Monday; March 15; at 10 a.m. in Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church with the Rev. Fr. James Spontak as celebrant. Interment was in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Arrangements were handled by the ELEY-McCRORY FUNERAL HOME INC.; Fayette City. www.eleymccroryfuneralhome.com.

Mary E. DuBarr; 91; of North Charleroi entered into rest on Tuesday; March 9; 2004; in Mon Valley Hospital. She was born Aug. 30; 1912; in Belle Vernon; a daughter of the late Charles and Kate Truxal Harvey. Mrs. DuBarr was a member of Belle Vernon First United Methodist Church; a graduate of Douglas Business School; and an employee of the former Zaucha’s Grocery in North Charleroi. Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law; Winfield and Rosella DuBarr of Charleroi; two daughters and sons-in-law; Jeannie and Ken Robbins of Warren; Ohio; and Darlene Maraccini of Raleigh; N.C.; eight grandchildren; Alan DuBarr and wife Sandi of Valencia; Dave DuBarr and wife Joyce of North Charleroi; Kathy Ulam of Warren; Ohio; Debbie Seagle and husband Jeff of Belmont; Mich.; Cheryl Robbins of Warren; Ohio; Kenny Robbins and wife Lori of Salem; Ohio; Jerry Maraccini and wife Cathy of Clayton; N.C.; and Don Maraccini and wife Ann of Timberlake; N.C.; and 17 great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; Alfred DuBarr; two sisters; Lydia Hale and Elizabeth Alton; one brother; Winfield Harvey; and one son-in-law; Richard Maraccini. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the ED MELENYZER FUNERAL HOMES INC.; Charleroi; where funeral services will be held Friday; March 12 at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Tim McConville; pastor of Belle Vernon First United Methodist Church; officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Albert P. Mayernik; 78; of Charleroi; died Tuesday; March 9; 2004; in Mon Valley Hospital. He was born Dec. 23; 1925; in North Charleroi; a son of the late Michael and Rose Barrett Mayernik. He was a member of the VFW Post 167 and American Legion Post 22; both of Charleroi. Mr. Mayernik was a World War II veteran; having served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theater. He was retired from Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel; Monessen Plant. He is survived by his wife; Grace Rodier Mayernik; one son; Scott Mayernik; at home; three grandchildren; John Mayernik and wife Heather; and Rachel and Becky Mayernik; several nieces and nephews; and two very special friends; Doris and Harry Reis. In addition to his parents; Mr. Mayernik was preceded in death by two sisters; Dolores Manos and Rosemary Battista. Friends will be received Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the SCHROCK-HOGAN FUNERAL HOME INC.; 226 Fallowfield Ave.; Charleroi. Funeral services will be held Friday; March 12 at 10 a.m. in the funeral home. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Grace Weir Lopez; 94; of Belle Vernon; died Sunday; March 7; 2004; in Mon Valley Care Center. A daughter of the late Frank and Mary Marra Weir; she was born in Reynoldsville; W.Va.; on Dec. 24; 1909. She was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; the Anita Garibaldi and the Sons of Italy. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law; Joseph W. and Marjorie Lopez of Belle Vernon; and Anthony and Sharon Brunetti of Royal Oak; Mich.; one brother and sister-in-law; James and Florence Weir of Rostraver Township; one sister and brother-in-law; Daisy and Merico Dolfi of Webster; six grandchildren; Frank and Kristy Lopez; Laura and Martin Lorenzo; and Joseph A. Lopez; all of Belle Vernon; and Annette and Jack Chapple; Mark and Donna Brunetti; and Perry and Lecia Brunetti; all of Royal Oak; and 10 great-grandchildren; Vincenzo and Grace Lopez; Gianna and Antonio Lorenzo; all of Belle Vernon; and Ross and Lisa Brunetti; William and Geniva Brunetti; and Nicole and Jackson Chapple; all of Royal Oak. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; Frank Lopez; on Dec. 4; 1999; one son; Joseph; in 1942; three brothers; John; Joe and Sam Weir; and two sisters; Kate Huber and Sue Pelliccione. Friends will be received from 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 service will be in the funeral home on Thursday; March 11; at 9:30 a.m.; followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Sebastian R.C. Church with Father Lawrence Manchas as celebrant. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The rosary will be prayed in the funeral home; led by members of St. Sebastian Parish; at 3 p.m. on Wednesday; followed by an Anita Garibaldi service at 3:15 p.m.

CHARLES J. CJ ECHART;81; OF PRICEDALE;WENT TO BE WITH THE LORD ON SATURDAY;MARCH 6;2004;IN HIS HOME. A SON OF THE LATE MARY ELIZABETH WOOD ECHART AND SAMUEL JACKSON ECHART;HE WAS BORN DEC. 4;1922;IN FAIRCHANCE. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE PRICEDALE UNION CHURCH AND HAD LIVED MOST OF HIS LIFE IN PRICEDALE. MR.ECHART WAS A U.S.ARMY VETERAN OF WORLD WAR II AND RETIRED FROM THE MONESSEN PLANT OF WHEELING-PITTSBURGH STEEL CO.;WHERE HE WORKED IN THE PUMP HOUSE. SURVIVORS INCLUDE HIS WIFE OF 53 YEARS;BETTY J.EVANS ECHART;ONE DAUGHTER AND SON-IN-LAW;ANNETTE AND DANA CLAY OF BELLE VERNON;TWO BROTHERS AND SISTERS-IN-LAW;CLARENCE AND ETHEL ECHART OF ROSTRAVER TOWNSHIP AND RAYMOND AND ARLENE ECHART OF BELLE VERNON;ONE SISTER;DORIS BUSH OF PRICEDALE;THREE GRANDCHILDREN;CURTIS CLAY AND WIFE CARRIE;AND NATHANIEL CLAY;ALL OF ANDERSON;IND.;AND AMANDA CLAY OF BELLE VERNON;TWO SISTERS-IN-LAW;ERMA ECHART OF BELLE VERNON AND RUTH EVANS OF PRICEDALE. IN ADDITION TO HIS PARENTS;HE WAS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY ONE BROTHER;JAMES ECHART;IN 1998. FRIENDS WILL BE RECEIVED FROM 7 TO 9 P.M. MONDAY AND 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;MARCH 10 AT 11 A.M. WITH THE REV.JAMES MIMIDIS OFFICIATING.

Violet H. Bialon; 88; of Penn Hills died March 5; 2004.

She was preceded in death by her husband; Frank Bialon. Violet was a retired child-care worker.

Surviving are her children; Janet Callahan of Penn Hills; Gloria Krempa of Chardon; Ohio; and Bernard Bialon of Smock; sisters; Jane Smetanka and Mae Pellicano; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Friends were received at Trenz Funeral Home. Mass was celebrated at St. Bartholomew Church. Interment was at Belle Vernon Cemetery.