Lawrence J. Myrtle; 73; of Washington Road; Belle Vernon; died Sunday; May 5; 2002; in Mercy Hospital; Pittsburgh. A son of the late Roy and Alta Schokley Myrtle; he was born Oct. 20; 1928; in Allenport. Methodist by faith; Mr. Myrtle was a member of the Communication Workers of America; the Pioneers; the Naomi Club; Fairhope Rod and Gun Club; and the Belle Vernon Musical Society. He graduated from Charleroi High School in 1946. Mr. Myrtle had resided in Belle Vernon since 1967 and formerly lived in Stroall Acres of Allenport. He retired after 42 years of service with the former Bell Atlantic Company and was a veteran of the U.S. Army; having served in the Korean Conflict. He enjoyed polka dancing; euchre club; sports and racing. Survivors include his wife of 47 years; Margaret Hludzik Myrtle; one son and daughter-in-law; Larry L. and Marsha Myrtle of Monongahela; one daughter; Sandra L. Santmyer of Lawrence; one brother-in-law; Jack Todd of Stockdale; and one niece; Jean Brutout of Portage; Ind. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by one sister; Elsie Todd. Friends will be received in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC.; a Golden Rule Member Firm; 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon; on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 P.M. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home on Thursday at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Tim McConville; pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Belle Vernon; officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.

Mrs.Mary Piskur;79;of 5436 Claybourne St.;Pittsburgh;formerly of Belle Vernon;died Monday;Aug.23;1965;at 4:45 a.m. at her home. Mrs.Piskur had lived in Belle Vernon until seven years ago when she moved to Pittsburgh to live with her daughter;Mrs John C.(Marie) Schilken. Born in Austria on March 24;1886;Mrs.Piskur was a member of the Slovene National Beneficial Society of Monessen. Her husband;John;died May 22;1948. Surviving besides her daughter are two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Friends will be received at the Shelby D.Ferguson Funeral Home;Belle Vernon;after 7 p.m. Aug.24. Blessing service there Thursday;Aug.26;at 9:30 a.m. followed by Requiem High Mass at 10 a.m.in St.Sebastian’s R.C.Church;Belle Vernon. The Rev.Martin J.O’Toole;pastor;will officiate. Interment;Belle Vernon Cemtery. Shelby D.Ferguson;funeral director.

Stephen A.Popelas;63;of 1024 Graham St.;Belle Vernon;died at his home Thursday;July 8;1965;at 7 a.m. after a lengthy illness. Mr.Popelas;a retired truck driver;was born in Czechoslovakia on March 1;1902. Surviving are his widow;Mary Kovach Popelas;four brothers;Andrew of Roscoe;John of Reading;George of Cleveland;Ohio;and Michael in New York;a sister;Mary Popelas in Europe. Friends are being received at the Howard W.McCrory Funeral Home;Fayette City;after 7 p.m. July 9. Service there Monday;July 12;at 1:30 p.m. in charge of the Rev.Howard Rodebaugh;pastor of Union Church in Pricedale. Interment;Belle Vernon Cemetery. Howard W.McCrory;funeral director.