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.

Charles J. Pabis; 86; of Fayette City; died Wednesday; Jan. 28; 2004; in Mt. Macrina Manor; Uniontown. He was born Nov. 18; 1917; in Washington Township; Fayette County; a son of the late Mike and Julia Osikowicz Pabis. He was the owner of the Palms Bar in Fayette City and very active in politics in Fayette County. Mr. Pabis was a veteran of World War II; having served with the U.S. Air Force. He was preceded in death by two brothers; Mitchell and John Pabis; and one sister; Julia S. Pabis. He is survived by one sister; Genevieve Samek and husband Stephen of Belle Vernon; one sister-in-law; Esther Pabis of Monessen; four nephews; David S. Samek and wife Janet of Belle Vernon; Robert Pabis and wife Marsha of White Oak; Richard Pabis of Belle Vernon and J.C. Pabis of the state of California; one niece; Kathleen Zandarelli of Kentucky; one great-nephew; David M. Samek of Belle Vernon; and one great-niece; Renee E. Miklos and husband Barry of Charleroi. Friends will be received at the ELEY-McCRORY FUNERAL HOME INC.; 334 Main St.; Fayette City; on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturday; Jan. 31; until 10 a.m. when a blessing service will take place in the funeral home with the Rev. Father Leonard McAlpin officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Anthony Queenie Laratta; 90; of Monongahela died peacefully Wednesday; Jan. 28; 2004; in Mon Valley Hospital. A son of the late Joseph and Mary Desmond Laratta; he was born in Belle Vernon on Nov. 30; 1913. Catholic by faith; Mr. Laratta was a life member of Belle Vernon Fire Company No. 2 and F.O.P. Lodge 87. He was an avid bowler in the Mon Valley. Mr. Laratta retired in 1978 from the Allenport Plant of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp. and was a policeman for the Borough of Belle Vernon for many years. Formerly of Belle Vernon; he had resided in Monongahela for over 35 years. Survivors include his wife; Marie Petrunia Fine Laratta; three daughters and two sons-in-law; Laverne Lowe of Charleroi; Cynthia and Ted Barker of Lynnwood; and Joyce and Frank Minchello of Lynbrook; N.Y.; one step son; Jack Fine of New Eagle; one sister; Victoria DeCarlo; formerly of Brownsville; seven grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by his first wife; Theresa Laratta; one brother; James Laratta; and one sister; Jean Spatafore. Friends will be received Friday 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 Saturday; Jan. 31; at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Members of the Belle Vernon Fire Company will meet in the funeral home to hold services on Friday at 7 p.m.

Francine J. Gill Christopher; 64; of Perryopolis; died Monday; Jan. 26; 2004; at 1 p.m. in her home. Born Dec. 15; 1939; in Fayette City; she was a daughter of Marion V. Miller Gill; who survives and resides in Belle Vernon; and the late Ralph Gill. Mrs. Christopher was a resident of Perryopolis for the past year; having previously resided in Rostraver Township. She was a homemaker and member of the Fayette City Methodist Church. Mrs. Christopher is survived by her husband; Richard C. Christopher; to whom she was married 43 years; three sons and two daughters-in-law; L. Dennis and Patricia Christopher of Pasadena; Md.; Richard G. Christopher of Reisterstown; Md.; and James S. and Rosalyn Christopher of Belle Vernon; two daughters and one son-in-law; Lisa J. Huber of Reisterstown; Md.; and Amy L. and Alan Sickles of Glen Burnie; Md.; 10 grandchildren; and one sister and brother-in-law; Melanie and Gary Moore of Belle Vernon. A memorial service will be held Thursday; Jan. 28 at 12:30 p.m. at the LEONARD J. PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME; Family Owned and Operated; 626 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon; with Pastor Daniel Hamilton Chaplain of Medi-Home Hospice officiating. 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.

Louise Rose Ambrose Welch; 89; of Belle Vernon; died Monday; Jan. 26; 2004; in Mon Valley Hospital; Carroll Township. Born Dec. 14; 1914; in Belle Vernon; she was a daughter of the late Lawrence and Mary Naccarato Ambrose. A homemaker; Mrs. Welch was a lifelong resident of Belle Vernon and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Roscoe. She is survived by two brothers and sisters-in-law; Albert R. and Theresa Ambrose of Texas and Raymond S. and Sandra Ambrose of Lynnwood; and two sisters and one brother-in-law; Virginia and Mike Comadena of Belle Vernon; and Florence Comadena of Belle Vernon. Mrs. Welch was preceded in death by her husband; George C. Welch Jr.; on Jan. 4; 2000; and four brothers; Charles; Anthony; Robert and Albert Ambrose; and one sister; Rose Ambrose. 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 (724-929-6183). Services will be held Thursday; Jan. 29 at 10 a.m. in the funeral home with Elder James Abbott of the Church Of Jesus Christ officiating. Interment 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.

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Marvin Ray Cooper; 67; of Charleroi; died Friday; Jan. 23; 2004; at 3:45 a.m. in Mon Valley Hospital. He was born Jan. 2; 1937; in Pontiac; Mich.; a son of the late Cecil G. and Beulah Lockwood Cooper. He was Protestant by faith and a retired boatmaker with Sea Ray Boat Co. in Lake Orion; Mich. Surviving are his wife; Loretta Sergi Cooper; one son and daughter-in-law; Stephen Michael and Lori Sergi of North Charleroi; two daughters and sons-in-law; Beverly J. and Richard Hect of Michigan and Christine A. and Bryan Thybault of Charleroi; one sister; Kaedonna Spear of Michigan; and nine grandchildren. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by one brother; Roy L. Cooper. Friends will be received in the CARL J. SPALLINO FUNERAL HOME; 819 Fallowfield Ave.; Charleroi; on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Services will be held in the funeral home Monday; Jan. 26 at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Mel Hileman officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Dorothy M. Hawk; 94; formerly of Belle Vernon;died on Thursday; Jan. 15. Ferguson Funeral Home Inc. and Cremation Service; Belle Vernon.