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.

Andrew J. Yencsik; 90; of Lynnwood; Belle Vernon; loving husband; father and grandfather; died Saturday; Sept. 13; 2003 in his home. He was born Dec. 11; 1912 in Arnold City; a son of the late Michael J. Yencsik and Anna Dandar Yencsik. He was a lifelong resident and businessman of the Belle Vernon area and was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Yencsik was a veteran of World War II; having served as a staff sergeant with the 307th Infantry Regiment; 77th Infantry Division. When he returned from the service in 1945; he and his brother Mike opened Yencsik’s Market on Broad Avenue in North Belle Vernon. In 1962; Andy and Mike relocated the store to Fayette and Henry streets; where he operated Yencsik’s Red and White Market until his retirement in 1973. On Jan. 21; 1947; he married Helen E. Cleri. Surviving; in addition to his loving wife of 56 years; are his eight children and 16 grandchildren; Ronald A. Yencsik and wife Karen of Emlenton and children Laura and Peter Yencsik; Kathryn J. Baldauf and husband David of Hermitage and children Dr. Jennifer Swanson-Petrov and husband Dr. Andrej Petrov and Gregory Swanson; Edward M. Yencsik of Belle Vernon; David T. Yencsik and wife Robyn of Washington and children David and Carleigh Yencsik; Robert A. Yencsik of Pittsburgh; Diane E. Hepple and husband Mike of Belle Vernon and children Michael and Megan Hepple; Linda M. Hines and husband Kent of Hermitage and children Katie; Ashley and Chris Hines; and Mary Gauden and her husband Ed of Rostraver Township and children Jesse; Emily; Katie; Molly and Max Gauden; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by one sister and brother-in-law; Anna and Joseph Pisarchek; one brother and sister-in-law; Michael and Blanche Yencsik; and one uncle; John Dandar. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the LEONARD J. PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME; 626 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon; 724-929-6183. A prayer service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday; Sept. 17 in the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. in St. Sebastian R.C. Church. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Members of St. Sebastian Church will pray the rosary for Mr. Yencsik at 3 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home. For those unable to attend; on-line condolences may be sent to the family at www.parzynskifuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled under the care of THOMPSON-MARODI FUNERAL HOME INC.; Bentleyville.

Arthur J. Dubinsky; 52; of Belle Vernon died Monday; Sept. 15; 2003; in Mon Valley Hospital. A son of Arthur W. Dubinsky; who survives and resides in Belle Vernon; and Edith Stewart Dubinsky; who died June 3; 2001; he was born in North Charleroi on Aug. 15; 1951. He was a member of the Fundamental Bible Church of Perryopolis; Belle Vernon American Legion Post 659 and Aliquippa F&AM Lodge 375 of McKeesport. Mr. Dubinsky was a lifelong resident of Belle Vernon and retired in 1999 after 25 years as a lieutenant with the Forward Township Police Department. He also was a U.S. veteran of the Vietnam era. Survivors; in addition to his father; include three children; Corrin B. Dubinsky of Belle Vernon; Alan Dubinsky and wife Karen of Portland; Ore.; and Drew Dubinsky of Belle Vernon; one sister; Janice Dubinsky of Belle Vernon; and one brother; Gary Dubinsky of Florence; Ky. Friends will be received Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC.; a Golden Rule Member Firm; (724-929-5300); Belle Vernon. Funeral services will be in the funeral home on Thursday; Sept. 18; at 10 a.m. with Pastor Michael Truszkowski officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. American Legion Post 659 will meet in funeral home to hold services Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Edward P. Morrow Sr.; 67; of Sampson Street; Belle Vernon; died Saturday; Sept. 13; 2003 in UPMC Shadyside Hospital; Pittsburgh. A son of the late Zigmunt and Melva House Morrow; he was born in Pittsburgh on May 18; 1936. He was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church of Belle Vernon and the East Belle Vernon Athletic Club. Mr. Morrow had lived in Belle Vernon for over 40 years and retired in 1998 from the Monessen Plant of Wheeling- Pittsburgh Steel Corp. Survivors include his wife of 47 years; Carole Altenbaugh Morrow; three daughters and sons-in-law; Carrie and Dennis Carini of Belle Vernon; Tracy and T.K. Karlowsky of Charleroi and Claudine and Jock Norelli of Belle Vernon; three sons and two daughters-in-law; Edward P. and Debra Morrow Jr. of Belle Vernon; Keith and Terri Morrow of Pittsburgh and Jason Morrow of Belle Vernon; three sisters; and one brother; Bernie Belin of Penn Hills; Donna Gaglardo of Mt. Pleasant; and Tina Miller and Gary Morrow; both of Brackenridge; 11 grandchildren; Eddie; Amber; Keith; Ashley and Jason Morrow; Chelsea and D.J. Carini; Travis and Logan Karlowsky; and Gino and Marisa Norelli; and his dog; Kato. Friends will be received Monday 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 Tuesday; Sept. 16 at 10 a.m. with Fr. Ron Cyktor Jr.; parochial vicar; officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.