Jean C. Lucas; 87; of North Belle Vernon; died Friday; Dec. 19; 2003; in Havencrest Inc.; Carroll Township. A daughter of the late Charles and Lena Collinet; she was born in North Charleroi on June 30; 1916. She was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church and Court Belle Vernon 1522; Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Mrs. Lucas had resided in North Belle Vernon for over 55 years. Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law; Walter C. and Sherry Lucas of Katy; Texas; one daughter and son-in-law; Barbara and Frank Wisener of North Belle Vernon; five grandchildren; Fred; Lisa; Walter; John and Becky; and five great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; Walter A. Lucas; on Sept. 14; 1985; and one brother; Charles Collinet. Friends will be received on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC.; a Golden Rule Member Firm; (724-929-5300); 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon. A Blessing Service will be in the funeral home on Monday; Dec. 22; at 9:30 a.m.; followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Sebastian R.C. Church at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The rosary will be prayed in the funeral home; led by members of St. Sebastian Parish on Sunday at 3 p.m.

Monroe Robert Schecht; 77; of New Kensington; died Thursday (Nov. 13; 2003) in Allegheny Valley Hospital; Natrona Heights; Harrison.

He was born Aug. 5; 1926; in Brighton Beach; New York; and lived in New Kensington some 40 years.

A 1944 graduate of Lincoln High School in Brooklyn; N.Y.; he graduated in 1948 from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. He later graduated from cosmetology school in Washington; D.C.

He served in the Army during World War II.

The owner of Monroe’s Beauty Shop in New Kensington for 30 years; he had been working for Medrad in Indianola; Indiana Township; for the past 11 years.

Mr. Schecht volunteered as an usher at the Benedum and Byham theatres in Pittsburgh; and was a member of the New Kensington Civic Theatre.

An avid movie buff; he also enjoyed live theatre.

Survivors include his wife of 35 years; Linda M. Hanly Schecht; three sons; Geoffrey (Tracey) Schecht of Texas; Thomas (Karen) Hudacek of Oklahoma and Shayne Schecht of California; two daughters; L. Elizabeth Galvanek of New Kensington; and Monica Atwood of New York; and a brother; Mikhail (Inez) Schecht of Florida.

Also surviving are seven grandchildren; ; Katie; Patrick; Matthew; Cliff; Karl; Alex and Morgan; and a great-granddaugther; Kayla.

He was preceded in death by a grandson; Nathan Hudacek; and his parents; William and Celia Zemon Schecht.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday in the ROSS G. WALKER FUNERAL HOME LTD.; a family owned and operated funeral home; 217 Freeport Road; New Kensington; where a service is set for 10 a.m. Monday. Officiating will be the Rev. Robert J. Henry; pastor of Logans Ferry United Presbyterian Church; New Kensington. Private burial will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery; Belle Vernon.

Stella Stushka Malinowski; 88; of Fairhope; Belle Vernon; an earthly angel; passed peacefully from this life to journey to her heavenly home on Thursday; Dec. 18; 2003; in Country Care Manor; Fayette City; with her loving and caring niece Vicky and husband Gary Adamec at her side. She was born in Boswell on Dec. 23; 1914; a daughter of the late William and Frances Golec Malinowski. She was preceded in death by two brothers; Adolph Malinowski of West Newton and Walter Malinowski of Texas; and two sisters; Blanche Moskal and Steffie DuJardin of Belle Vernon. Stushka was a very special; loving and gentle person to all who knew her. She was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church; Fayette City. She is survived by her niece; Vicky Adamec and husband Gary of Belle Vernon; who cared for her; three sisters; Helen Trenk; Nellie Basile and Frances Seman; all of Belle Vernon; and several loving nieces and nephews. Friends will be received Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the ELEY-McCRORY FUNERAL HOME INC.; Fayette City; and Saturday until 9:30 a.m.; when a prayer service will be held followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in Holy Spirit Catholic Church; Fayette City; with the Rev. Fr. Leonard McAlpin as celebrant. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery. A parish wake service will be held Friday at 3:30 p.m. in the funeral home.

Susanna Hajducek Smith; 81; of Dunlevy; formerly of Roscoe; died Wednesday; Dec. 17; 2003. She was born May 15; 1922; in Perryopolis; a daughter of the late Joseph and Anna Fedorko Hajducek. She was a member of the Dunlevy United Methodist Church; retired as postmaster of the Dunlevy Post Office with over 30 years of service; a member of the National Association of WAVES; and the Dunlevy Recreation Association. She served as a Seaman First Class with the U.S. Navy from June 15; 1943 to Oct. 1; 1945. Survivors include one son: John E. Smith Sr. and wife Barbara of Lemont Furnace; two daughters; Susan Sparks and husband David of Dunlevy and Laura Smith of Seattle; Wash.; four grandchildren; John E. Smith Jr.; Steven Smith; Anna Marie Smith and Stephanie Ann Smith; all of Uniontown; three great-grandchildren; Hallie Smith; and twins Timmy and Taylor Smith; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by one son; Robert Louis Smith; one brother; John Hajducek; seven sisters; Mary Marcinek; Agnes Kotcella; Anna Miskovich; Margaret Stone; Josephine Novak; Helen Ziedman and Dorothy Baker; and special friend; Ralph Beef Rossi. Friends will be received in the ED MELENYZER FUNERAL HOMES INC.; Roscoe from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. A funeral service will be held Saturday; Dec. 20; at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with Pastor Bill Hastings of the Dunlevy United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Michael Andrew Hepple; 20; of Rostraver Township; died Monday; Dec. 15; 2003; at 8:01 p.m. in Children’s Hospital; Pittsburgh. Born Feb. 12; 1983; in Carroll Township; he was the son of Forrest Michael and Diane E. Yencsik Hepple; who survive and reside in Rostraver Township. Michael was a lifelong resident of Rostraver Township and member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; Belle Vernon. He was a graduate of Belle Vernon Area High School; Class of 2001 and was attending Westmoreland County Community College. Our loving son enjoyed the outdoors; hunting and fishing and was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan. In addition to his parents; he is survived by one sister; Megan Hepple; at home; his maternal grandmother; Helen E. Cleri Yencsik of Lynnwood; his paternal grandparents; Forrest and Helen Gadus Hepple of Belle Vernon; his paternal great-grandmother; Anna Hayduk Gadus of Rostraver Township; and several aunts; uncles and cousins. Michael was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather; Andrew J. Yencsik; his paternal great-grandfather; John Gadus; and one uncle; Thomas C. Hepple. Visitation will be held Thursday 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 Friday; Dec. 19 at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home followed by Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Sebastian R.C. Church. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Members of St. Sebastian Parish will pray the rosary for the departed soul of Michael Andrew Hepple Thursday 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; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.

Georgina Jean (Bush) Harden Ritchie; 80; of Belle Vernon; Washington Township; died Monday; Dec. 15; 2003; at 3:45 a.m.; in Mon Valley Hospital; Carroll Township; Washington County. Born March 24; 1923; in Monessen; a daughter of the late John and Martha Jane Huscroft Bush. Mrs. Ritchie was a resident of Washington Township for the past 55 years; a member of Marion Presbyterian Church of Belle Vernon and a homemaker. She was a member of the Belle Vernon Golden Age Assembly; Belle Vernon Order of Eastern Star Chapter 196; Gold Star Mother; past member of Fayette City Women’s Club; AARP; and she was the former owner of Jeannie’s Beauty Shop in Fairhope for 12 years. She is survived by her husband; Woodrow W. Ritchie; a daughter and son-in-law; Becky and Charles Wood; of Greensburg; two stepsons; Barry W. Ritchie and wife; Becky; of Belle Vernon; and Ronald W. Ritchie and wife; Beverly; of Orlando; Fla.; two stepdaughters; Sharon Ritchie; of West Mifflin; and Linda Podraza and husband; Regis; of Ruffsdale; three grandchildren; Scott Wood; Susan Eutsey and Michelle DeMine; seven stepgrandchildren; Barry Ritchie Jr.; Brian Ritchie; Christopher Ritchie; Jarrad Ritchie; Michelle Podraza; Rhiana Podraza and Colleen McManus; five great-grandchildren; Robert DeMine; Sara DeMine; Shannon DeMine; Ashley Eutsey and Aimee Ann Eutsey; a stepgreat-granddaughter; Rachel Lynn Eyles; and a sister; Barbara Bates; of Charleroi. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her first husband; Melvin Owen Harden; on Dec. 18; 1993; a son; Larry Owen Harden; on Jan. 5; 1971; a great-grandson; Elijah Wood; two sisters; Daisy Bush and Ivy Louise Steiner; and a brother; John David Bush. Visitation will be Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and 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 at 10 a.m. in the funeral home with Pastor William E. Lawson of Marion United Presbyterian Church of Fairhope officiating. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. As a convenience to the family; condolences are accepted and given to the family from the funeral home’s Web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.

Susan Buchton Strychalski; 84; of Fairhope; Belle Vernon; died Wednesday; Dec. 10; 2003; in her home. She was born Dec. 23; 1918; in Washington Township; a daughter of the late John and Susan Safer Buchton. She was a member of Lynnwood Lutheran Church; Belle Vernon. She was preceded in death by her husband; John Strychalski; in 1995; and one son; Andrew Strychalski. Survivors include her children; Bernard Strychalski and wife Debbie of Belle Vernon; Evelyn Nagy and husband Eugene of Donora; and Suzanne Antol and husband John of Fairhope; Belle Vernon; one brother; John Buchton and wife Pauline of Fairhope; Belle Vernon; and one sister; Mary Sholtis of Belle Vernon;; one daughter-in-law; Janet Strychalski; and friend Buddy Holley; and 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Friends will be received at the ELEY-McCRORY FUNERAL HOME INC.; 34 Main St.; Fayette City; on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday; Dec. 12; until 10 a.m.; the hour of services in the funeral home with Pastor Jack Hernstrom officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Robert Michael Robbie Pollock Jr.; 36; of Belle Vernon; died Sunday; Dec. 7; 2003; in his home. He was born Oct. 8; 1967; in Cincinnati; Ohio; the son of Robert M. Sr. and Susan Leska Pollock; who survive and reside in Fayette City R.D. He was a co-manager of Wendy’s Restaurant in Castle Shannon; a member of the Historic Church of St. Peter in Brownsville; the Knights of Columbus in Belle Vernon; the Mon Valley Youth & Teen Association; and the Sokols. He was a graduate of California University of Pennsylvania and an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America. In addition to his parents; he is survived by his wife; Lisa Dando Pollock; three children; Emily; Adam and Andrew Pollock; all at home; one sister; Michelle Starr of Perryopolis; paternal grandmother; Margaret Pollock of Perryopolis; his father- and mother-in-law; Richard and Cookie Dando of Newell; and many 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; Dec. 11; until 10:30 a.m.; when a blessing service will be held; followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. in the historic Church of St. Peter in Brownsville with the Rev. Fr. Vincent Gigliotti as celebrant. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The Belle Vernon Knights of Columbus will conduct a service Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the funeral home.

Jessie Mae Laidley; 83; of Monessen; died Wednesday; Dec. 3; 2003. She was born March 11; 1920; in Ringgold; Ga.; the daughter of Jessie Dillard and Lily Mae Page. She was an employee in many private homes. She leaves her children; Richelle Bronson and husband William of Monessen and Marlene Cookie Laidley and Kenneth Johnson of Monessen; her sister; Jennie Miller of Monessen; and nieces; nephews and many friends. Friends will be received at the Gates of Heaven Church of God in Christ; Reed Avenue; Monessen; on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. Services will be held in the church Saturday; Dec. 6; at 11 a.m. with Elder Edwin C. Bass officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. ALDRICH FUNERAL HOME; 431 E. Ninth Ave.; Munhall; is in charge of arrangements.