Wendell J. Amalong; 77; of Daisytown; died Saturday; March 1; 2003; in Mon Valley Care Center. Born Jan. 20; 1926; in Belle Vernon; he was a son of the late Robert and Nellie McQuiston Amalong. He was a retired coal miner who served with the U.S. Army during World War II. Survivors include his wife; Ethel Furnier Amalong of Daisytown; one daughter; Gloria J. Amalong of Monessen; step sons; John Bertovich of Phoenix; Ariz.; Mark Bertovich of Daisytown; and Joshua Amalong of West Pike Run; seven grandchildren; and one brother; Jerry Amalong of Brook Park; Ohio. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by one brother; Robert Amalong; two sisters; Edith Cook and Dolores Wanda; and one step son; Anthony Bertovich. There will be no visitation or viewing. Private interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by the ED MELENYZER FUNERAL HOMES INC. of Roscoe.

Odessa Mae Lomax Johnson-Epps; 77; who resided at Char House; 251 Ninth St.; Apt. 306; Charleroi; departed this life at 3 p.m. on Friday; Feb. 28; 2003; in Monongahela Valley Hospital; Carroll Township. She was born June 2; 1925; in Donora; a daughter of the late William V. and Ruby Lomax. She was also preceded in death by her husband; Edward F. Johnson; one sister; Ruby Arnold; two brothers; William and Pressley Lomax; two nephews; Nelson Wimpy Arnold and Allen Hose Wright; and one grandson; Maurice Mooch Davis. Odessa was a lifelong resident of the Mon Valley; spending most of her life in Monessen. As a youth; she attended the Donora School District. She was a former member of Bethlehem Temple Church in Donora; where she serviced faithfully. More recently; while residing at Char House; she enjoyed participating in activities such as Bible Study; ceramics; and other senior group activities. She leaves to cherish her memory five daughters; Sandra Rawlins of Monessen; Audrey Chatman of Detroit; Mich.; Donna Sims and Ruth Ann Beauregard and husband Jeffrey of Cleveland; Ohio; and Juanita Cantu and husband Johnny of Charleroi; six sons; Edward Johnson of Washington; Donald Johnson of Dayton; Ohio; Daryl Johnson and wife LuAnn of Pittsburgh; William Johnson and wife Vickie of Charleroi; Anthony Johnson of Monessen; and Hiawatha Frezzell of Arizona; one sister; Delores Wright of Washington; D.C.; one brother; James Lomax of Monessen; 23 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; 11 nieces; seven nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends. Friends will be received Tuesday; March 4; from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in Mt. Calvary Baptist Church; 230 Reed Ave.; Monessen; where funeral services will be held Wednesday; March 5; at 11 a.m. with Pastor Jacalyn Mills; eulogist. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The BEVERLY C. DRAPER FUNERAL HOME; Monessen; is in charge of the arrangements.

Edward James DeRose; 49; of Johnston Street; Belle Vernon; died Wednesday; Feb. 26; 2003; in his home. He was born in North Charleroi on July 30; 1953; a son of Gloria Appolline Jacobs; who survives and resides in Monessen; and the late Edward G. DeRose. He was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church of Belle Vernon; the Belle Vernon Moose Lodge 209; the American Legion; the Russian Club; and Pennsylvania Chapter 18 of the National Association of Power Engineers. Mr. DeRose had been employed as a boiler fireman for Mon Valley Hospital for the past five years. Survivors; in addition to his mother; include one daughter; Deanna Taylor DeRose of Donora; a special friend; Sue; one sister and brother-in-law; Melaine and Bob Elbaum; three nephews; Richard; Auguste and Gabriel; four aunts; Roseanna Jurcevich of Belle Vernon; Stella Krlin of Pittsburgh; Geraldine McCune of Ocala; Fla.; and Sara Povirk of West Newton; and several cousins. Friends will be received Friday from 3 to 7 p.m.; the time of funeral services in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC.; a Golden Rule Member Firm; (724-929-5300); 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon; with the Rev. Ronald Cyktor Jr.; parochial vicar; officiating. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Norma J. Naccarato; 73; of Sampson Street; Belle Vernon; died Saturday; Feb. 22; 2003; in Mon Valley Hospital. A daughter of the late James S. and Georgia Elizabeth Mountsier Naccarato; she was born in Belle Vernon on Jan. 30; 1930. Norma was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Charleroi and retired from the former Bell Telephone Company in 1984. A lifelong resident of Belle Vernon; she graduated from Vernon High School in 1948. Survivors include one brother; Jim Naccarato of Columbus; Ohio; two sisters; Shirley Moyer of Seattle; Wash.; and Donna Kiikka of Victor; N.Y.; and many nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday; Feb. 25; at 10:30 a.m. in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC.; a Golden Rule Member Firm; (724-929-5300); 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon; with the Rev. Bruce K. Northey officiating. Entombment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Margaret V. Ticki Myrtle; 72; of Lynnwood (Belle Vernon); died Saturday; Feb. 22; 2003; in Jefferson Center Hospital. A daughter of the late Charles and Mary Fedor Hludzik; she was born Dec. 18; 1930; in Donora. United Methodist by faith; Mrs. Myrtle; formerly of Stroall Acres in Allenport; had resided in Lynnwood since 1967. She enjoyed polka dancing and travel. Mrs. Myrtle managed the former Jo-Ann Fabrics store in Belle Vernon from 1973 to 1977 and worked in sales and advertising for The Valley Independent from 1977 until her retirement in 1996. Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law; Larry L. and Marsha L. Myrtle of Monongahela; one daughter; Sandra M. Santmyer of Lawrence; and one sister; Irene Pinky Zido of Annapolis; Md. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; Lawrence J. Myrtle; on May 5; 2002; two brothers; William and George Hlydzik; and one sister; Mary Mecca Louttit. Friends will be received Tuesday 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; where Funeral Services will be held Wednesday; Feb. 26; at 11:30 a.m. with the Rev. Timothy McConville; pastor of First United Methodist Church of Belle Vernon; officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Jean Hart Heide; 86; of Belle Vernon; Rostraver Township; died Sunday; Feb. 23; 2003; at 9:20 a.m. in Canonsburg General Hospital; Canonsburg. Born Oct. 5; 1916; in North Belle Vernon; she was the daughter of the late Frank and Sarah McLaughlin Hart. A homemaker; Mrs. Heide was a resident of Rostraver Township and a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; Belle Vernon. She attended Belle Vernon schools and had been employed during World War II at the Allenport Mill. Following the war; she was employed as assistant manager at the F&S Five & Ten in Belle Vernon. She is survived by one daughter-in-law; Norma Heide of Rostraver Township; one grandson; R. James Heide III and wife Kathleen of North Belle Vernon; and three great-grandchildren; Elizabeth Nicole Heide; Bill Harris Heide and Sarah Grace Harris Heide; all of North Belle Vernon. Mrs. Heide was preceded in death by her husband; Robert J. Heide; in 1947; and her son; R. James Heide Jr.; on July 13; 1989. Visitation will be held Monday 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. A prayer service will be held Tuesday; Feb. 25; 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 Jean Heide Monday at 3 p.m. in the funeral home. As a convenience to the family; condolences are accepted at the funeral home’s web site.

Yolan (Dolly) Comer; 61; of Rostraver Township; died Friday; Feb. 21; 2003; in Mon Valley Hospital. She was born in North Charleroi; Nov. 25; 1941; a daughter of Yolan Adams Turda; of Rostraver Township and the late Alex Turda. Mrs. Comer is survived by her husband; Lewis J. Comer; three sons; Lewis J. Comer Jr. of Washington; Pa.; James A. Comer of Rostraver Township and David A. Comer of Belle Vernon; one brother; Alex Turda of Monongahela; and one sister; Adele Konek of Coraopolis; and one grandchild. Friends will be received in the JAMES C. STUMP FUNERAL HOME INC.; Sweeney Plan/Rostraver Township; on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in the funeral home with the Rev. Kent Lighthall officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Lisa Marie Downer Mirabella; 31; of Fayette City; died Monday; Feb. 17; 2003. She was born Sept. 23; 1971; in Pittsburgh; a daughter of Marion C. Skip and Mary Alice Ketter Downer of Newell. She was the secretary/treasurer of the Municipal Authority of Fayette City; assistant Girl Scout leader for Troop 4035; and Marion Elementary PTA Parent Volunteer Coordinator for the past three years. Surviving; in addition to her parents; is her husband; Charles T. Mirabella and children; Jason and Jared Mirabella; both at home; two brothers; Scott Downer and wife Jennifer of Carnegie; and Carl Downer of Pittsburgh. Friends will be received at the ELEY-McCRORY FUNERAL HOME INC.; 334 Main St.; Fayette City; on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.; and Thursday; Feb. 20; until 11 a.m.; the hour of service in the funeral home with the Rev. James Pond officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Joseph R. Pitzie Stonfer; 88; of Newell; died Tuesday; Feb. 11; 2003; in Brownsville General Hospital. He was born Nov. 8; 1914; in Newell; a son of the late John and Marie Orsega Stonfer. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict; having served 37 years with the U.S. Army. He was life member of the Newell VFW Post and Brownsville American Legion. He was preceded in death by four brothers; Jack; Louis; John and Michael Stonfer; and four sisters; Virginia Lama; Mary Ferguson; Cecil Nold and Margaret Fedutes. Mr. Stonfer was the last surviving member of his family. He is survived by numerous nieces; nephews; and great-nieces and -nephews. There will be no public viewing and private entombment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the ELEY/McCRORY FUNERAL HOME INC.; Fayette City.