Marie L. Hammitt Horan; 55; of Webster; died Sunday; Sept. 7; 2003. She was born April 9; 1948; in Charleroi; daughter of the late Rebecca Manown Jannotta. She was a 1966 graduate of Rostraver High School. She is survived by her husband of 22 years; David L. Horan; of Webster; one son; David Ednie and wife Lorraine of Belle Vernon; one daughter; Tracy Naponic and husband Todd of Belle Vernon; two stepbrothers; Joseph Jannotta and wife Gay of Charleroi and John Jannotta and wife Mindy of Huntingdon; W.Va.; one stepsister; Judy Sevon and husband Edward of Jensen Beach; Fla.; five grandchildren; David; Ashley and Cheslie Ednie and Madison and Ashton Naponic; one brother; Clint Hammitt and wife Helen of Whittier; Calif.; and several nieces; nephews; and cousins. In addition to her mother; she was preceded in death by her stepfather; Adolph Jannotta. Friends will be received in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC.; a Golden Rule Member Firm (724-929-5300); 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon; on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Thursday; Sept. 11; at 1 p.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. Jack Edward Hernstrom officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

John Leonard Pushkar; 76; of Erie; formerly of Belle Vernon; died Saturday; Aug. 30; 2003; after a lengthy illness. He was born July 4; 1927; in Monessen; a son of the late John S. and Anna Vargo Pushkar. He served during World War II in the U.S. Navy as a seaman second class and retired in 1985 from the Monessen Plant of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Co. After several years of retirement in Florida; he and his wife Lois returned to Belle Vernon where he unselfishly and devotedly cared for her during her extended illness. He supported his wife in many ministries and was a dedicated and hard-working part of the church family. A dedicated and loving father and grandfather; he also was an avid outdoorsman and hunter who helped and encouraged many others. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by his wife; Lois Daugherty Pushkar; on Oct. 12; 2001. He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law; Cathleen and Jay Riggle of Erie and Melanie and Dr. David Birch of Lewes; Del.; one son and daughter-in-law; Dennis and Jane Pushkar of North Huntingdon; one sister and brother-in-law; Mary Ann and Walter Melanowski of Belle Vernon; six grandchildren; Amy; Emily and Mark Riggle of Erie; Lydia and Miles Birch of Lewes; Del.; and Johnathan Pushkar of North Huntingdon; and his mother-in-law; Hazel Daugherty of Belle Vernon. Funeral services were held today in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC.; a Golden Rule Member Firm; (724-929-5300); Belle Vernon. Interment was in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to The Hope of His Calling; through the family.

Mary L. Braddock Riskey; 82; died Friday; Aug. 29; 2003; at 2:15 a.m. at Southmont Presbyterian Senior Care; Washington. Born March 15; 1921; in Belle Vernon; she was the daughter of the late Alexander and Edith White Braddock. Mrs. Riskey was a resident of Pricedale most of her life; a charter member of the Belle Vernon Church of the Nazarene and was retired from BVA School District; where she was a cafeteria worker at Marion Elementary. She was also a member of the former Belle Vernon American Legion Post 659 Ladies Auxiliary and past district president. She is survived by daughter and son-in-law; Donna Lee and Michael Ronevich; of Rayland; Ohio; two brothers; Jack Braddock; of Belle Vernon; and Vaughn Braddock; of California; Pa.; three sisters and brother in law; Mildred Waiton; of Belle Vernon; Helen McCormick; of Morgantown; W.Va.; and Mercy and Eugene Green; of Belle Vernon; five grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; Robert E. Riskey;her son;Robert E.Riskey on May 10;1945 and her daughter Gloria J. Riskey; two sisters; Emily Tylosky and Elsie Tintori; and a brother; Henry George Braddock. Visitation will be held Sunday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 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 Monday at the Leonard J. Parzynski Funeral Home at 10:30 a.m. 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.

Mario Carmen Alessio; 79; of Seldom Seen; Belle Vernon; died Wednesday; Aug. 27; 2003; in Mon Valley Hospital. A son of the late Carmen and Santa Altimore Alessio; he was born Feb. 10; 1924; in Belle Vernon. He was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church of Belle Vernon; a volunteer for the Meals on Wheels program; and an honorary member of Belle Vernon Volunteer Fire Department No. 2; where he volunteered for the fish fry and spaghetti dinners. Mr. Alessio retired from the labor gang at the Allenport Plant of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Company. Mario was a devoted husband and a loving father; grandfather and great-grandfather. He touched many lives and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Survivors include his wife of 55 years; Virginia Mancuso Alessio; two daughters; Santa Maria Sandy Stewart of Smock and Monica L. LaCarte of Belle Vernon; one sister; Mary Amoroso of Sweeney Plan; Belle Vernon; four grandchildren; Thomas R. Stewart IV and wife Annette of Smock; Melissa Renee Drennon and husband Jerry of Dunbar; Jeb Daniel Stewart of Smock and Shanna Leigh LaCarte of Belle Vernon;; five great-grandchildren; Brittany; T.J.; and Brenden Stewart; and Taelor and Krista Drennon; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by two brothers; Jimmy; who died in infancy; and Domenick Coke Alessio; in 1992; and two sisters; Eleanor Nora Aiello; in 1987; and Josephine Dena Kulsic; in 1985. Friends will be received Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday 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 will be in the funeral home Saturday; Aug. 30; at 8:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Sebastian R.C. Church at 9 a.m. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The rosary will be prayed in the funeral home on Friday at 3 p.m. led by members of St. Sebastian Parish.

Patricia J. Smith; 71; of Monessen; died Tuesday; Aug. 19; 2003; in Mon Valley Hospital. She was born March 27; 1932; in Union; N.J.; a daughter of the late Harry Klein and Ann Pierce Klein. She had attended the Presbyterian Church of Charleroi. Mrs. Smith was an employee of The Salvation Army; having worked as a case worker prior to her retirement. Surviving are her husband; Robert D. Smith; two sons; William H. Smith of Kingston; N.Y.; and Timothy Smith of Monessen; one sister; Beverly Long of Ohio; two grandchildren; Kristen and Patrick Smith of Kingston; N.Y.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends will be received Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the RHOME FUNERAL HOME INC.; 1209 Grand Blvd.; Monessen; a Golden Rule Funeral Home. Services will be held Saturday; Aug. 23; at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Frank J. Kosik; 88; formerly of Brown Street; Belle Vernon; died Friday; Aug. 15; 2003; in Dainty’s Personal Care Home; Jefferson Township. A son of the late John and Caroline Russell Kosik; he was born July 22; 1915; in Pittsburgh. He was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church and a former member of the Knights of Columbus and the Holy Name Society. Mr. Kosik retired in 1971 after 10 years of service in the maintenance department of the Belle Vernon Area School District. Survivors include one sister; Blanche Sabo; a resident at Dainty’s Personal Care Home; one nephew; Bill Sabo and wife Patty of Belle Vernon; one niece; Bernadette Zunic of Rostraver Township; two great-nephews; Michael Sabo of Georgetown; Ky.; and Jonathan Sabo and wife Julie of Belle Vernon; and one great-niece; Annette Trenk and husband George of Monongahela. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by one sister; Stella Kosik; on July 14; 2003. There will be a Funeral Mass in St. Sebastian R.C. Church; Belle Vernon on Friday; Aug. 23; at 9 a.m. The FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC.; a Golden Rule Member Firm; (724-929-5300); 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon is handling arrangements.

Edward M. Valko; 67; of Charleroi; died Thursday; Aug. 14; 2003; in Mon Valley Hospital. Born Sept. 7; 1935; in Tidioute; Pa.; he was the son of the late Michael and Anna Glotz Valko. He was Catholic by faith. Survivors include three brothers; George Valko of Roseville; Mich.; Leonard Valko of Monongahela and Henry Valko of Belle Vernon; three sisters; Agnes Mason of California; Pa.; Irene Baker of Belle Vernon and Roseann Valko of West Newton; and two uncles; Nicholas Valko of Sunnyvale; Calif.; and Andrew Valko of Monessen. Private visitation and funeral service were held Saturday; Aug. 16; in the ELEY/McCRORY FUNERAL HOME INC.; 334 Main St.; Fayette City. Interment was in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Joseph Olszewski Sr.; 84; of Belle Vernon; died Tuesday; Aug. 26; 2003; at 4:24 a.m. in Mon Valley Hospital; Carroll Township. Born Dec. 18; 1918; in Charleroi; he was a son of the late Stanley and Constance Matuszak Olszewski. He was a lifelong resident of Belle Vernon; a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church in Belle Vernon and was retired from the former Pages American Chain & Cable Co.; Monessen; where he worked as a millwright. He also retired as a custodian from the Charleroi Area School District. Mr. Olszewski was a veteran of World War II; where he served in the U.S. Army; and he was a member of Belle Vernon American Legion Post 659. He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law; Joseph W. Jr. and Sharon Olszewski of Las Vegas; Nev.; and Leonard C. and Cindy Olszewski of Bethel Park; one sister; Elizabeth Studnicki of Pontiac; Mich.; four grandchildren; Kelly L. Harvey of Bethel Park; Joseph Olszewski III of Mesa; Ariz.; Danielle Braitenback of Las Vegas; Nev.; and Amanda Olszewski of Bethel Park; three great-grandchildren; Sonya Harvey of Bethel Park; and Bill and Kevin Braitenback; both of Las Vegas. Nev. He was preceded in death by his wife; Catherine Muro Olszewski; on May 28; 1997; and two brothers; Roman Olson and Edward Olsen. 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; Aug. 29; at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home; followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Sebastian R.C. 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 Joseph Olszewski Sr. on Thursday at 3 p.m.; and Belle Vernon American Legion Post 659 will conduct services at 7 p.m.; both 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.

John R. Bob Yates; 74; of Belle Vernon; died Sunday; Aug. 10; 2003; at his home. He was born May 26; 1929; in Monessen; a son of the late Frank Nelson Yates and Sarah R. Restivo Yates. He was a member of Belle Vernon United Methodist Church and a veteran of the Korean War. Mr. Yates was an employee of Conrail; having worked as a payroll accountant prior to his retirement. Surviving are two brothers; Nelson and James Tex Yates; both of Monessen. Friends will be received at the RHOME FUNERAL HOME INC.; 1209 Grand Blvd.; Monessen; a Golden Rule Funeral Home; from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. Services will be held at the funeral home chapel on Wednesday; Aug. 13; at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

John W. Dibby DiBiaso; 85; of Monessen; died Saturday; Aug. 9; 2003; in Mon Valley Hospital. He was born June 24; 1918; in Monessen; a son of the late Dominic DiBiaso and Assunta Giancola DiBiaso. He was a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Monessen and the Italian Society of Mutual Aid of Monessen. He was an employee of American Chain and Cable Co. and the Monessen School District. Mr. DiBiaso was a baseball enthusiast; having played; coached and umpired for various leagues. He had also officiated basketball games. Surviving are his wife of 63 years; A1ice Hott DiBiaso; one son and daughter-in-law; Richard and Shawna DiBiaso of the state of California; one daughter and son-in-law; Lynda and Anthony Cucciardo Sr. of Virginia; grandchildren; Brian and Shawna Re DiBiaso; Tony Cucciardo Jr. and wife Lynn; Shannon and Jack Timmeny; two great-grandchildren; Morgan and Austin Cucciardo; four sisters- and two brothers-in-law; Toots and Tom Boyer; Loretta DiBiaso; Frances DiBiaso Barber and husband Pastor Linn Barber; four nephews; Tom Boyer Jr. and wife Kathie of Washington; Pa.; and their daughter; Jennifer of Pittsburgh; Robert DiBiaso of Monessen; Robert Molle and wife Pat of Levittown and family; and Barry Moelle and wife Ernie of Langhorne and family; four nieces; Karen Cullen and husband Tom and their daughters Nicole and Allyson of Elizabeth; Marie Hixson and husband John of West Newton and their daughter Stephanie of Washington; D.C. and son Gary of California; Diane Guzevich and husband Fred of Bloomsburg; and Yvonne Molle of Penndel and family. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by two brothers; Nello and Richard DiBiaso; and one nephew; Michael DiBiaso. Friends will be received at the RHOME FUNERAL HOME INC.; 1209 Grand Blvd.; Monessen; a Golden Rule Funeral Home; from Monday from 2 to 4 7 to 9 p.m. Services will be held in St. Paul Lutheran Church on Tuesday; Aug. 12; at 1 p.m. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Mr. DiBiaso’s name may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Memorial Fund through the funeral home.