Russell Ellsworth Wilkinson Jr.; 84; of North Charleroi; died Tuesday; Dec. 23; 2003; in Mon Valley Hospital. He was a son of the late Russell E. Sr. and Martha Alma Keefer Wilkinson; and husband of the late Mary Ellen Owens Wilkinson; father of Janet Ruth Lucovitz of North Charleroi; brother of Lawrence; William; Willis and Edgar Keefer and Leah Radek. He also is survived by three grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Funeral services and interment are private. The LEONARD J. PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME; Family Owned and Operated; 626 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon; is in charge of arrangements. www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.

George B. Bronson passed away quietly in his sleep on Feb. 8; 2004. He had been treated for Alzheimer’s and lived with his son David in Connecticut since the spring of 2000. Since October of 2003; George had been cared for at the Bayview Nursing Home in Waterford; Conn.; in the final stages of Alzheimer’s. George was born in Lowber on Sept. 22; 1925; to George Bronson and Gertrude Blanche Smith Bronson. After graduating from high school; George enlisted in the U.S. Navy; where he was trained as an electrician. While serving in the U.S. Navy; George served aboard the USS Merimack (oil tanker) where he received the Victory Medal; American Theatre Medal; European Theatre Medal; Asiatic Pacific Medal 5 Stars; Philippine Liberation Ribbon 1 Star and three Letters of Commendation. Honorably discharged as an Electrician’s mate 2nd class; he worked as an electrician and draftsman at the Fisher Body plant where he retired after 36 years. George was a member of Gummert Lodge No. 252 in Fayette City; where he was a past master in 1965. He married Helen Laverne Dunlop Bronson on Nov. 17; 1946. They had two children; David and Colleen. Helen passed away Jan. 18; 1998. Surviving family members are David and Timi McCready Bronson; daughter; Colleen Resh of Jefferson Borough; granddaughters; Kerrey Lynn Bronson and Meghan Baker. George has two surviving sisters; Amy Barber and husband Clyde of Lowber; Fayette City; and LaVerna Gatalo and husband Nate of Cincinnati; Ohio. Friends will be received in the ELEY-McCRORY FUNERAL HOME INC.; 334 Main St.; Fayette City; on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday; Feb. 11; until 1 p.m.; the hour of service with the Rev. Karen Willis officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Gummert Lodge No. 252 will conduct services in the funeral home Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

Helen Bednar; 96; of Fayette City; died Saturday; Feb. 7; 2004; in Mt. Macrina Manor. She was born Sept. 19; 1907; in Washington Township; a daughter of the late Louis and Elizabeth Fesco Klinsky. She was a member of Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church; Fayette City; and a member of the Church Handmaids and Rosary Society. She was preceded in death by her husband; Andrew Bednar; and a son; Andrew R. Bednar. She is survived by her children; Larry Bednar and wife Sharon of Cortland; Ohio; Martha DeFranceso and husband Michael of Fayette City; and Dorothy Valosen and husband John of Perryopolis; one daughter-in-law; Sylvia Bednar of Cortland; Ohio; two sisters; Irene Swaintek of Perryopolis and Jeanette Roman of Warren; Ohio; 12 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Friends will be received at the ELEY-McCRORY FUNERAL HOME INC.; 334 Main St.; Fayette City; on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday; Feb. 11; until 9:30 a.m. when a blessing service will take place followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in Holy Spirit R.C. Church with the Rev. Father Leonard McAlpin officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers; the family requests memorial donations be made to Mt. Macrina Manor; 520 West Main St.; Uniontown; Pa. 15401.

Walter P. Ferencz; 81; of Lynnwood; Belle Vernon; died Saturday; Feb. 7; 2004; in Hallsworth House; Monessen. A son of the late William and Mary Ferencz; he was born in Monessen on May 25; 1922. Mr. Ferencz was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Belle Vernon; Fayette City American Legion Post 484; Naomi Athletic Club and Belle Vernon and Fayette City Golden Age Assemblies. A resident of Lynnwood for the past 62 years; he retired from the Monessen plant of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Co.; where he worked as a rigger and retired as an inspector. Mr. Ferencz was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Marines. Survivors include his wife of 62 years; Edythe Hoyes Ferencz; three sons and daughters-in-law; Rodney and Karen Ferencz of Beaufort; N.C.; William and Jean Ferencz of Dunlevy; and Michael and Janet Ferencz of Naomi; one sister; Margaret Cecelia of Monessen; five grandchildren; Susan Hill of Charleston; S.C.; Tech Sergeant Michael Ferencz; stationed in Germany; Alice Prokopovitch of McMurry; Adam and Marla Ferencz of Naomi; and two great-grandchildren; Garrett and Anna Hill. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by two brothers; Michael and William E. Ferencz; and one sister; Anna Canora. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 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. Funeral services will be in the funeral home on Tuesday; Feb. 10; at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The Fayette City American Legion Post 484 will meet in the funeral home to hold services Monday at 7 p.m.

Millie Turcheck; 85; of Fayette City; died Saturday; Feb. 7; 2004; in Mercy Hospital; Pittsburgh. She was born Oct. 25; 1918; in McKees Rocks; a daughter of the late Agnes Anderson. She was a member of Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church; Fayette City; the Church Handmaids and the Rosary Society. She is survived by her husband of 63 years; Joseph Turcheck; and children; Joseph Turcheck and wife Jacqueline of Reston; Va.; and David Turcheck and wife Marianne of Belle Vernon; one brother; Kalcan Anderson of Garden City; Mich.; and four grandchildren; Anya; Rebecca; Paul and Casey. 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; Feb. 10; until 9:30 a.m. when a blessing service will take place followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in Holy Spirit R.C. Church with the Rev. Father Leonard McAlpin as celebrant. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

John Lowber Salko Sr.; 77; of Fayette City; died Thursday; Feb. 5; 2004; in his home. He was born Aug. 31; 1926; in Fayette City; a son of the late Peter and Mary Stephens Salko. He was a member of Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church and the American Slovanic Club; both in Fayette City; and a life member of the National Rifle Association. Mr. Salko was a veteran of World War II; having served with the U.S. Army. He was preceded in death by one brother and sister; Mike Salko and Mary Calcek. Surviving is his wife; Virginia Yensick Salko; one daughter and son; Susan Mardis and friend Frank Pilipovich and John Salko Jr. and wife Renee; all of Fayette City; one sister; Mary Hopper of Chico; Calif.; one brother-in-law and sister-in-law; Edward Calcek of Charleroi and Jean Salko of Newell; one son-in-law; Lloyd Mardis of Fayette City; six grandchildren; Susie Carol Mardis; Heather Mae Mardis Davis and husband Ronald; Julie Renee Smith and husband Anthony; John Eric Salko and friend Merilee Melvin; Nichole Salko and friend Timothy Lynch and Lisa Marie Salko and friend Justin Gardner; and one great-grandson; Hunter David Gardner. Friends will be received at the ELEY-McCRORY FUNERAL HOME INC.; 334 Main St.; on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturday; Feb. 7 until 9:30 a.m.; when a blessing service will take place followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in Holy Spirit R.C. Church; Fayette City; with the Rev. Fr. Leonard McAlpin as celebrant. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. A parish wake service will be held Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the funeral home.

Keith Skip Swearer; 71; of Belle Vernon; Rostraver Township; died Tuesday; Feb. 3; 2004; at 7:15 a.m. in Cherry Tree Nursing Center; Uniontown. Born July 14; 1932; in North Belle Vernon; he was a son of the late Harry and Georgina Robson Swearer. He was a lifelong resident of the Belle Vernon area and was retired from Corning Glass in Charleroi; where he worked as a store room attendant. Mr. Swearer was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict. He is survived by his wife; Edna Cole Swearer; to whom he was married 41 years; three daughters and two sons-in-law; Edna Johanna and Kenneth Menia of Coal Center; Sue Ellen and Jeffrey Morris of Donora; and Lori Ann Swearer; at home; three grandchildren; George Joseph Menia; Johanna Marie Menia and Crystal Sue Morris; one great-granddaughter; Hailey Marie Wright; one nephew; David Swearer and wife Christine of East Millsboro; one great-nephew; Joshua Swearer and wife Amanda of North Belle Vernon; and one great-great-nephew; Riley Swearer. He was preceded in death by his brother; Raymond Swearer. Visitation will be held Wednesday 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 (724-929-6l83). Services will be held Thursday; Feb. 5 at 10 a.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. Paul Sandusky of First Christian Church of Brownsville officiating. Interment will be 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.

Helen J. Bost; 85; of Belle Vernon; Washington Township; died Saturday; Jan. 31; 2004; in Mon Valley Hospital Inc. She was born in Jefferson Township on July 22; 1918; a daughter of the late George and Teresa Grabiak Gogones. She is survived by two daughters; Betty Yowanske of Rostraver Township and Margaret Yensick of Belle Vernon; one sister; Theresa McCrory of Perryopolis; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her first husband; Harry McCrory; her second husband; Raymond Bost; and one sister; Betty Rongaus. Friends will be received Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the JAMES C. STUMP FUNERAL HOME INC.; 580 Circle Drive; Sweeney Plan/Rostraver Township; where funeral services will be held Tuesday; Feb. 3; at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Richard Klein officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery; Rostraver Township. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Rostraver Public Library; 800 Fellsburg Road; Belle Vernon; Pa. 15012; or to Westmoreland Hospice.

Maria Ann Tonarelli; 82; of Charleroi; died Friday; Jan. 30; 2004; in Mon Valley Hospital. She was born in Rome; Italy; on Dec. 21; 1921. Mrs. Tonarelli was a member of Mary; Mother of the Church; the Christian Mothers and the Golden Agers; all of Char1eroi. She had worked for the former Charland of Speers; Magura’s Clothing Factory in Monessen; and retired in 1987 after 20 years as a seamstress with Brookvale in Monessen. Survivors include her husband; Albert Q. Tonarelli; one brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law; Fred and Marie Tonarelli of Belle Vernon and Shirley Tonarelli of Dunlevy; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters in Italy; and her first husband; Raymond Fischer. 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. Friends will gather in the funeral home on Monday; Feb. 2 at 9:15 a.m. and proceed to Mary; Mother of the Church for a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Entombment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

John Peter Narbut; 93; died peacefully at his home in Belle Vernon the morning of Thursday; Jan. 29; 2004. He was born Oct. 29; 1910; in Greensburg; and dedicated his professional life as a master mechanic and electrician to maintenance and safety in the coal industry. He retired with Consolidation Coal Company; where he helped plan and develop mines throughout southwestern Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He was an avid gardener. He is survived by his cherished wife of 70 years; Lillian Narbut; of Belle Vernon; his daughter; Kerin Yates of Allison Park; his son; Harold Narbut of New Hope; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two sisters; and one brother. He was interred in Belle Vernon Cemetery in a private family service. Cards of sympathy are welcomed. In lieu of flowers; contributions may be made to: Belle Vernon Public Library; 505 Speers St.; Belle Vernon; Pa. 15012. The JAMES C. STUMP FUNERAL HOME INC.; Rostraver Township; handled the funeral arrangements.