Henriette M.Rieu;96;of Hyattsville;Md.;formerly of Monessen;died Thursday;Oct.2;2003;in Sacred Heart Nursing Home;Hyattsville;Md. She was born Aug.16;1907;in Bessege;France;daughter of the late Henry and Louise Cayrel. In addition to her parents;she was preceded in death by her husband;Emil F.Rieu;a son Eli O.Rieu;and a brother;Eli Cayrel. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law;Emile H.and Antoinette M.Rieu;of Bowie Md.;six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the RHOME FUNERAL HOME INC.;1209 Grand Blvd.;Monessen. Prayers will be 9:30 a.m. Monday in the funeral home;followed by a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Epiphany of Our Lord Church in Monessen. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Philip K. Oliver; 64; of Redford; Mich.; died Sunday; Sept. 28; 2003 at 1:40 a.m. in Garden City Hospital; Garden City; Mich. Born April 12; 1939 in Belle Vernon; he was a son of the late Antonio and Theresa Tiano Oliver. He was a resident of Redford for the past 34 years; having previously resided in Belle Vernon. Mr. Oliver attended California State Teachers College and was employed by Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel; Allenport Plant before moving to Michigan in 1969. He was employed by Mayflower Construction Co. as a supervisor of building. He also enjoyed all kinds of sports. He is survived by his wife; Jaqui Worth Oliver; one daughter and son-in-law; Dania and Joel McKnight; two sisters and brothers-in-law; Ida May and Richard Krandle of Farmington Hills; Mich.; and Joan and Charles Hrutkay of Scenery Hill; six brothers; Joe Oliver of Belle Vernon; Nick Oliver of Morgantown; W.Va.; Thomas Oliver of Allen Park; Mich.; John Rudolph Oliver of Bloomfield Hills; Dr. Paul Oliver of Needham; Mass.; and Theodore Ted Oliver of Grosse Ile; Mich.; and one grandson; Chance McKnight. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by three brothers; Cozy; Guy and Mark Oliver. Visitation will be held Thursday from 2 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 Friday; Oct. 3 at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church with the Rev. Ronald Cyktor Jr.; parochial vicar; as celebrant. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Members of St. Sebastian parish will pray the rosary for the departed soul of Philip K. Oliver Thursday at 3 p.m. in the funeral home. As a convenience to the family; condolences are accepted and given to the family from the funeral home’s web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.

Michael Jerome Bennett Sr.; 82; of Fairhope; Belle Vernon; died peacefully Sunday; Sept. 28; 2003 at his home following a brief illness. He was born July 4; 1921 in Arnold City; a son of the late Joseph and Sophia Kostelac Bennett. He was a veteran of World War II; having served with the U.S. Air Force; 8th Division; 44th Bomb Group; 67th Bomb Squadron; where he received a Purple Heart. He was a graduate of Marion High School with the Class of 1940 and a member of the Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church; Fayette City. A life-long resident of the Mon Valley; Mr. Bennett was a retired crane operator from the Irvin Works plant of the USX Corporation. He was preceded in death by a beloved son; Michael Jerome Bennett Jr.; on Apri1 2; 2002; one brother; Nick Bennett; and two sisters; Mildred Severovic and Mary Bieleski. Survivors include his loving wife; Helen Sebetich Bennett; with whom he celebrated 55 years of marriage on June 26; 2003; one daughter and son; Barbara Kutska and husband Michael and Frank Bennett and wife Brenda; all of Belle Vernon; one daughter-in-law; Gloria Bennett of Belle Vernon; one brother; Mark Bennett and wife Hannah of Belle Vernon; two sisters; Joan Venable and Goldie Ercegovic and husband Thomas; all of Cleveland; Ohio; five grandchildren; Scott and Shawn Bennett; Alyssa Kutska; and Jesse and Mackenzie Bennett; and two great-grandchildren; Brianna and Brittany Bennett; two brothers-in-law; Ted Sebetich Sr. and wife Margaret of Belle Vernon and Walter Bieleski of Monessen; two sisters-in-law; Elizabeth Betty Bilski and Mildred Bennett; both of Belle Vernon; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the ELEY-McCRORY FUNERAL HOME INC.; 334 Main St.; Fayette City; on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m.; Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.; and Thursday; Oct. 2; 2003 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. Fr. Leonard McAlpin as celebrant. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. www.eleymccroryfuneralhome.com.

John Vargo; 91; of Fayette City; died Monday; Sept. 29; 2003 in Country Care Manor. He was born Sept. 8; 1912 in Arona; a son of the late Andrew and Julia Gesko Vargo. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He was retired from Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Co.; Allenport Plant. Survivors include his wife; Mary E. Tomalski Vargo; one son; John Richard Vargo of Pittsburgh; one daughter-in-law; Cathy Vargo of Pittsburgh; one brother; Sam Vargo of Fayette City; one sister; Ann Cupps of Pittsburgh; and two grandchildren; Daniel Vargo Jr. and Catrina Ann Vargo; both of Pittsburgh. In addition to his parents; Mr. Vargo was preceded in death by one son; Daniel Lee Vargo; two brothers; Paul and Andrew Vargo; and three sisters; Mildred Sever; Mary Vargo and Susan Cassidy. A committal service will be held at the Belle Vernon Cemetery Chapel on Wednesday; Oct. 1 at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Fr. Leonard McAlpin officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by the ELEY-McCRORY FUNERAL HOME INC.; 334 Main St.; Fayette City.

Gladys L. Gardner Yates Gallaher; 99; of Allenport; died Thursday; Sept. 25; 2003; in Adult Assisted Living; Dunlevy. She was born July 23; 1904; in Gillespie; a daughter of the late James and Jean Smith Gardner. Mrs. Gallaher was Protestant by faith; and she was a former cook for the Corps of Engineers River Transportation. Survivors include one son; John Robert Bob Yates; of Allenport; one brother; Jack Gardner; of Fayette City; two sisters; Margaret Krivda; of Gillespie; and Janet Motzer; of Rices Landing; nine grandchildren; Phyllis and Sam Kent; of Wyoming; Bill and Mindy Yates; Jamie and Helen Yates; all of Savannah; Ga.; Kristy and Paul Keefer; of Allenport; Barbara and Bob Wolford; of Allenport; John and Judy Yates; of Maryland; Gladys and Kim Beveridge; of Monongahela; Jessie and Larry Funari; of Las Vegas; Nev.; and Janet and Rikki Pearson; of Charleroi; 19 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; and a daughter-in-law; Ethel Yates; of Roscoe. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by husbands; John R. Yates Sr. and George Gallaher; one son; James Yates; one daughter; Phyllis Yates; three sisters; Jessie Stewart; Jean Breckenridge and Esther Coldren; and four brothers; Melrose; Robert; Jim and Willis Gardner. Friends will be received Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the ED MELENYZER FUNERAL HOMES INC.; Roscoe. The funeral home will be open Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Monday; Sept. 29 at 11 a.m. in the funeral home; with the Rev. John Rankin officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Franklin L. Bialon Sr.; 60; of Belle Vernon; died Wednesday; Sept. 24; 2003 in Mon Valley Hospital. He was born Aug. 20; 1943 in Pittsburgh; a son of Helen Povich Bialon; who survives; and the late Frank A. Bialon. He was a graduate of Monessen High School Class of 1961; West Virginia Wesleyan Class of 1965 and West Virginia School of Law Class of 1968. Mr. Bialon had served in the Pennsylvania National Guard. He was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church of Belle Vernon; F&AM 638 of Monessen; BPOE 773 of Monessen; Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite-Valley of Pittsburgh; PNA Lodge 1146 of Monessen; Westmoreland County and Pennsylvania bar associations; and he was a law clerk for the Senior Judges of Westmoreland County and the Pennsylvania Board of Claims. Mr. Bialon was an attorney working with the firm Bialon and Bialon. Surviving are his wife; Alice Sepesky Bialon; three sons; Aaron and wife Kathy; Jason and wife Alta Marie; and Frank Jr.; all of Belle Vernon; one brother; Don Bialon of Belle Vernon; and four grandchildren; Natalie Ann; Jason Jr.; Ava and Alta Bialon. Friends will be received at the RHOME FUNERAL HOME INC.; 1209 Grand Blvd.; Monessen; a Golden Rule Funeral Home; from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Services will be held Monday; Sept. 29 with a 10 a.m. prayer service in the funeral home followed by a 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Sebastian R.C. Church. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Masonic services will be conducted Sunday at 7:30 p.m. in the funeral home.

Joseph D. Butera; 76; of Charleroi; died Tuesday; Sept. 23; 2003 in Mon Valley Hospital. He was born Feb. 16; 1927 in Charleroi; a son of the late Joseph and Josephine Arcadipane Butera. He was a member of Mary; Mother of the Church Parish of Charleroi; the Sons of Italy and Charleroi Elks Lodge 494. Mr. Butera was retired as the owner of the Maples Restaurant in Charleroi. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. Surviving are his wife of 53 years; Margaret Peg Kocian Butera; one son and daughter-in-law; Joseph Edward and Chris Butera of Bethel Park; two daughters and sons-in-law; Linda and Michael Susick of Belle Vernon and Donna and Joseph Ramusivich of Bethel Park; two brothers; Salvatore Butera of Charleroi and Leonard Butera of Florida; two sisters; Rose Butera of Charleroi and Mary Barkey of Monongahela; six grandchildren; Joseph William and Abby Butera; Michael and Julie Susick; and Stephen and Brad Ramusivich. Friends will he received at the CARL J. SPALLINO FUNERAL HOME; 819 Fallowfield Ave.; Charleroi; on Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday; Sept. 27 at 10 a.m. in Mary; Mother of the Church. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

John R. Jack Dillard Sr.; 73; of Columbus; Ohio; formerly of Belle Vernon; departed this life Sunday; Sept. 21; 2003 in Riverside Methodist Hospital; Columbus; Ohio. He was born March 29; 1930 in Belle Vernon; the son of the late John and Dorothy Donnell Dillard. A long-time resident of the Mon Valley; Mr. Dillard was retired from Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel; Allenport Plant. Jack was an active member of Speer Street AME Church of Belle Vernon; where he served on the Steward Board and sang in the choir. He later became a member of Pleasant Green AME Church; which he attended until his health no longer allowed. Left to cherish his memory are his wife; Betty Simpson Dillard of Columbus; Ohio; two sons and daughters-in-law; John R. Jr. and Michelle Dillard of Powell; Ohio; and Kim V. and Dottie Dillard of Hastings; one sister and brother-in-law; Laverne and the Rev. Albert Ross of Youngstown; Ohio; several grandchildren; and many nieces; nephews; and friends. Friends will be received Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday; Sept. 26 from 10 to 11 a.m. in Pleasant Green AME Church; 403 Johnson Ave.; Belle Vernon; where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Sharon Washington officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to the BEVERLY C. DRAPER FUNERAL HOME; Monessen.

Harry W. Swanson Sr.; 67; of Pricedale; Rostraver Township; died Sunday; Sept. 21; 2003; at 9 a.m. in Mon Valley Hospital; Carroll Township. Born March 3; 1936; in Monessen; he was a son of the late Clarence and Edith Maki Swanson. A resident of Pricedale for the past 46 years; Mr. Swanson Lutheran by faith and was retired from Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel; Allenport Plant; where he worked as an inspector. He was a member of Belle Vernon Masonic Lodge 643; East Belle Vernon Athletic Club and the Fairhope Rod & Gun Club. He is survived by his wife; Ruth Sue Holesapple Swanson; to whom he was married 46 years; three sons and one daughter-in-law; Harry W. Swanson Jr. and wife Laura of Carroll Township; Daryl Swanson of Sacramento; Calif.; and Erik Swanson of Oakdale and fiancee Lissa Torrence; one brother and sister-in-law; Clarence Jr. and Pat Swanson of Detroit; Mich.; one sister-in-law; Vivian Swanson; one nephew; Ron Swanson and wife Barb; and two grandsons; David Sztroin and Rich Kovall. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by one brother; Gilbert Swanson; and two sisters; Shirley Migninni and Clarene Smalley. Visitation will be held Tuesday 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 at 10 a.m. Wednesday; Sept. 23; in the funeral home with the Rev. Thomas E. Senge; pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Monessen; officiating. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Belle Vernon Mason Lodge 643 will conduct services Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the funeral home. As a convenience to the family; condolences are accepted and given to the family from the funeral home’s web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.