Margaret Dolores Rizzutto Bercini; 81; of 715 Green St.; North Belle Vernon; died Tuesday; Nov. 6; 2001; at 2:30 a.m. in Mon Valley Hospital. Born Feb. 29; 1920; in North Belle Vernon; she was a daughter of the late Dominick and Mary Fredericko (Russo) Rizzutto. Mrs. Bercini was a lifelong resident of North Belle Vernon; a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; Belle Vernon and was a retired dental receptionist. Survivors include a daughter-in-law; Debbie of Washington; D.C.; a brother; Louis Rizzutto of Pittsburgh; two sisters; Mary Rogowitz of Virginia and Doris Jean Gushorn of Florida; and two grandchildren. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; Carl Bercini; a son; Terrence Lee Bercini in 1989; two sisters; Theresa Bernardo and Anna Johnson; and five brothers; infant Robert; Samuel; James; Joseph and Albert Rizzutto. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the LEONARD J. PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME; family owned and operated; 626 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon. Prayer service will be held Friday at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home; followed by funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church with the Rev. E. George Saletrik; parochial vicar; officiating. Interment will be held in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The rosary will be prayed Thursday at 3 p.m. in the funeral home by members of St. Sebastian parish.

Lena Reed Fowler; 92; of Pasadena; Calif.; formerly of Belle Vernon; died Sunday; Nov. 4; 2001; in California. A daughter of the late Joseph and Frances Sack Reed; she was born in Belle Vernon on Nov. 20; 1908. A former member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; she had resided in California since 1960. She had worked as a waitress for the former Park Casino in Monessen for many years and also at the Huntington Hotel in Pasadena. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law; Vera and Tony Messerotes of Pasadena; a son and daughter-in-law; Anthony and Bette Marino of Magalia; Calif.; a brother; Arthur Reed of Belle Vernon; three sisters; Millie Caputo of Belle Vernon; Genevieve Haffner of Pasadena and Virginia Toth of Belle Vernon; four grandchildren; Gary and Greg Messerotes; Carrie Ank and Lia Kieckhafer; and three great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; Howard Fowler; in 1976; a brother; James Reed; and a sister; Carrie Andreis. Prayer services will be held at the chapel of the Belle Vernon Cemetery on Friday at 9 a.m. The FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC.; 700 Broad Avenue; Belle Vernon; is handling the arrangements.

Raymond P. Swiantek; 87; of Perryopolis; passed away Saturday; Nov. 3; 2001; in his home. He was born June 18; 1914; in Allegheny County; a son of the late Anthony and Sophia Janoski Swiantek. Ray was retired from Luce Farm Equipment Co.; and was a lifelong farmer and avid gardener. He was preceded in death by a grandson; Pvt. Daniel C. Swiantek; three sisters; Florence Swiantek; Cecelia Schultz and Amelia Rabatin; and three brothers; Theodore; Clement and Michael Swiantek. Surviving are his wife; Irene Klinsky Swiantek; with whom he celebrated 64 years of marriage on Oct. 23; 2001; children; Dennis P. Swiantek and wife Glenda of Kansas and Raymond L. and wife Melissa Rider Swiantek of Perryopolis; brothers; Louis Swiantek and Anthony Swiantek; and sister; Margaret Luce. He is also survived by a special nephew; Jim Cord; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received in the ELEY-McCRORY FUNERAL HOME INC.; 334 Main St.; Fayette City; from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday; 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and until 9:30 a.m. Wednesday when a prayer service will be held in the funeral home followed by Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church; Perryopolis; with the Rev. Father John Euker as celebrant. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery; Belle Vernon.

William J. Cernicky; 56; of North Belle Vernon; died Thursday; Nov. 1; 2001; in North Belle Vernon. Born Dec. 15; 1944; in North Charleroi; he was the son of the late David and Helen Cowan Cernicky. Mr. Cernicky was a resident of North Belle Vernon for the past 56 years and was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church in Belle Vernon. Mr. Cernicky was retired from Operating Engineers Local 66; where he worked as a business agent. He was a veteran of the Vietnam Conflict; where he served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He is survived by his wife; Linda Rauth Cernicky; to whom he was married 33 years; a son; Shawn G. Cernicky of Wexford; and a daughter; Tiffany L. Cernicky of Belle Vernon. He was preceded in death by a brother; Dennis Cernicky. Visitation will be held 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in the LEONARD J. PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME; family owned and operated; 626 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon. A prayer service will be held at 8:30 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home followed by Funeral Mass at 9 a.m. in St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; with the Rev. John R. Cindric; pastor; officiating. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions be made in memory of William J. Cernicky to the Huntington Foundation.

Antonio Sam Rizzuto;93;of Monessen;died Thursday Nov.1;2001;in Monongahela Valley Hospital. He was born Sept.18;1908;in Monessen;a son of Vincenzo Rizzuto and Annunziata Spadafore Rizzuto. He was a member of BPOE 773 of Monessen. He was an employee of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel;Monessen Plant;prior to his retirement. Surviving are a son;Ronald and wife Penny Rizzuto of Monessen;and a sister;Evelyn Luce of West Newton. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death in addition to his parents were his wife;Sue Vizza Rizzuto;five brothers;Dominic;Justin;Harold;Ernie and William Rizzuto;and three sisters;Madeline Rizzuto;Ida Mazza and Matilda Palazza. Friends will be received 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the RHOME FUNERAL HOME;INC.;1209 Grand Blvd.;Monessen;a Golden Rule Funeral Home. Services will be held at 10 a.m.Monday in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Ralph (Beef) Rossi; 84; of Dunlevy; died Sunday; Oct. 28; 2001; in Mon Valley Hospital. A son of the late Romano and Ernesta Lenzini Rossi; he was born in Dunlevy on June 12; 1917. He was a member of Mary; Mother of the Church; Charleroi; and was a lifelong Dunlevy resident. A former mayor of Dunlevy; he was a past president of both Dunlevy Recreation and the Charleroi VFW Post 167. He was a well-known soccer player and manager. Survivors include three sons and two daughters-in-law; Ralph and Theodora Rossi of Greensboro; N.C.; John Rossi of Ft. Lauderdale; Fla.; and Robin and Mary Rossi of Stockdale; a daughter and son-in-law; Kathleen and Thomas Encrapera of Gloucester; Va.; two brothers and a sister-in-law; Thomas J. Rossi of Hayward; Calif.; Ronald and Adele Rossi of Belle Vernon; a sister; Rena Santavicca of Dunlevy; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by his wife; Katherine Kruczek Rossi; on June 5; 1968; four brothers; Reno; Raymond; Ramo and Roger Rossi; and a sister; Laura Rossi. Friends will be received on Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC.; a Golden Rule Member Firm; 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon. Friends will gather in the funeral home on Wednesday at 9:15 a.m. and proceed to Mary; Mother of the Church; Charleroi; for a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. with Father David Dzermejko as celebrant. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.
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Edward G. Keyock; 51; of 121 Penn Oak St.; Elizabeth; died Saturday; Oct. 27; 2001; at 10:05 p.m. in Wightman Health Center; Pittsburgh. He was born Dec. 27; 1949; in Greensburg; a son of the late George and Anna Yowonske Keyock. He was a resident of Elizabeth for the past 10 years. He was a member of the Mentor Bible Church in Elizabeth and was an auto mechanic by trade. He is survived by his wife; Susan E. Sterner Keyock; to whom he was married 13 years; three sons and two daughters-in-law; Daryl and Mary Ann Bell of Jeanette; Kenneth Keyock of West Newton; and Ryan and Marlene Bell of Belle Vernon; two daughters; Christina Goldsmith of Clairton; and Georgeanna Keyock of Elizabeth; one cousin; James Yowonske of Belle Vernon; and seven grandchildren. Visitation was held Monday from noon to 1 p.m. in the LEONARD J. PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME; Family owned and operated; 626 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon; followed by services at 1 p.m. with the Pastor Alan Hayden of the Mentor Bible Church; officiating. Interment took place in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Clifford Bush; 86; of Somers Street; Pricedale; died Wednesday; Oct. 24; 2001; in his home. A son of the late Roddie and Annie Roe Bush; he was born in Pricedale on May 31; 1915. He was a member for 54 years of the Pricedale Union Church where he faithfully served over the years as an assistant Sunday School superintendent; head usher; deacon and trustee. He will fondly be remembered for his participation in the church’s dartball team and as an avid member of the Mon Valley Retiree Bowling League. A lifelong resident of Pricedale; he was retired from U.S. Steel; Monroeville Research Center. Mr. Bush was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II where he served as a technician in the 24th Army Division Signal Company. Citations of commendation included the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Stars; the Good Conduct Medal; Bronze Arrowhead and Victory Medal. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by three brothers; Clarence; William and Howard Bush. Survivors include his wife of 53 years; Doris Echart Bush; two daughters and sons-in-law; Marianne and Ronald Fye of Elizabethtown and Carol J. and David Carson on North Charleroi; two sons and daughters-in-law; Clifford E. and Linda Bush of Meadville; Donald W. and Robin Bush of Elizabethtown; a brother; Henry Bush of Pricedale; 10 grandchildren; Brian; Allison and Benjamin Fye; Stephanie Bush Foltz and her husband Joseph; Timothy Bush; Jonathan and Joshua Bush; Heather; Zachary and Caleb Carson and a great granddaughter; Tiffany Foltz. The heritage left to his family is one in which his faith and love of the Lord Jesus Christ will always be remembered. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC.; 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon. Funeral services will be in the funeral home at 11:30 a.m. Saturday with the Rev. James Mimidis officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. God’s Garden – God looked around his garden; and found an empty place. He then looked down upon the earth; and saw your tired face. He put his arms around you; and lifted you to rest. God’s garden must be beautiful; he always takes the best. He knew that you were suffering; he knew you were in pain. He knew that you would never get well on this earth again. He saw the road was getting rough; and the hills were hard to climb. So he closed your weary eyelids; and whispered ‘Peace be thine.’ It broke our hearts to lose you; but you didn’t go alone. For part of us went with you; the day God called you home.

The Rev. Vernon H. Bowers; 76; of Bridgeville; died Tuesday; Oct. 23; 2001; in St. Clair Hospital; Pittsburgh. A son of the late Howard and Lillian Montgomery Bowers; he was born in Belle Vernon; April 2; 1925. The Rev. Bowers was a member of the Mt. Lebanon Christian Church; the Masonic Lodge and the Order of the Scottish Rite. He was a graduate of North Belle Vernon High School; Johnson Bible College and had earned two degrees from Butler University. He had served several churches; including churches in Monessen; Dayton; Ohio; Marion; Ind.; and Mt. Lebanon; from which he retired; in 1992. He was an interim pastor in Brownsville; Uniontown; Greensburg; Monongahela; Washington and Bethel Park; all in Pa. He served for several years as chaplain of St. Clair Hospital Rehabilitation Center. He had also been on several committees for the national; regional and local Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and ecumenical projects. He was a current board member of the Thomas Campbell Apartments in Washington; Pa. The Rev. Bowers was known for his wisdom; warmth and wit. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by his wife; Ellamae Owens Bowers; Aug. 23; 2001; and a brother; Melvin Bowers; Dec. 1995. Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law; the Rev. Howard E. and the Rev. Saundra Michael-Bowers; of Indianapolis; Ind.; the Rev. Kevin and Diane Bowers; of Weirton; W.Va.; and V. Paul and Janet Bowers; of Pittsburgh; and two grandchildren; Julia and James Bowers; of Pittsburgh. Friends will be received Friday from 10 to 11 a.m.; the time of prayers; in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC.; 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. A memorial service will be held Sunday at 4 p.m. in the Mt. Lebanon Christian Church; corner of Cedar Boulevard and Hollycrest Drive; Pittsburgh. In lieu of flowers; the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Mt. Lebanon Christian Church; Vernon and Ellamae Bowers Memorial Fund.