Norma R. Tonarelli; 96; of Belle Vernon; passed away Tuesday; Jan. 31; 2012; in Monongahela Valley Hospital. A daughter of the late Anelito and Josephine Bonucci Simboli; she was born in Belle Vernon; on Aug. 8; 1915. A lifelong resident of Belle Vernon; she was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church and was the last surviving charter member of the Anita Garbaldi Society. Survivors include a daughter; Linda Tonarelli; with whom she resided; two grandsons; John Tonarelli; and his wife; Sue; of Travis Air Force Base; Calif.; and Jeff Tonarelli; and his wife; Liz; of Coraopolis; two great-grandchildren; Michael and Maria Tonarelli; a daughter-in-law; Patti Bigi; and her husband; Herman; of Carroll Township; a sister-in-law; Clara Tonarelli; of Belle Vernon; three nieces; Geraldine Tonarelli; of Belle Vernon; Tina Morrison and her husband; Earl; of Scottdale; and Elaine Duggan and her husband; Rich; of Cranberry Township; three nephews; Father Ron Simboli; of Uniontown; Dennis Simboli; of Belle Vernon; and James Simboli and his wife; Patty; of Monongahela; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband; John Tonarelli; in 1960; a son; Jerry Tonarelli; in 1994; a sister; Evelina Simboli; and two brothers and a sister-in-law; Guido and Irene Simboli and Raymond Simboli. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY INC.; 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon; www.fergusonfuneralhomeandcrematory.com; (724) 929-5300. A blessing service will be in the funeral home Friday at 10 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. in St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church with her nephew and godson; Father Ronald L. Simboli; pastor of St. Joseph Church; Uniontown; as celebrant. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The rosary will be prayed in the funeral home Thursday at 3 p.m. led by members of St. Sebastian Parish.

William R. Modrak; 75; formerly of Roscoe and Belle Vernon; died Monday; Jan. 30; 2012; at 11:57 a.m. at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital; Pittsburgh. Born Sept. 14; 1936; in Rostraver Township; he was the son of the late John and Mary Motchkoski Modrak. Mr. Modrak served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a member of the Charleroi Elks. The last surviving member of his immediate family; he is survived by a daughter and son-in-law; Mary Lynn and Richard Kucik; of Irwin; two grandsons; Brenden Kucik and Luke Kucik; and a niece; Beverly and Richard Lubecki and family. Visitation will be held Friday from 9 to 10 a.m. at the PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATIONS; Family Owned and Operated; 626 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon; (724) 929-6183; followed by funeral services at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Stephen J. Wahal of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church officiating. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Condolences accepted at the funeral home’s website; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.

Julia R. Balchak; 13; of North Belle Vernon; died Wednesday; Jan. 11; 2012; at 2:45 a.m. at home following a long; courageous battle with cancer. Born March 5; 1998; in Pittsburgh; she was the daughter of Timothy R. and Desiree M. Williamson Balchak; of North Belle Vernon. A lifelong resident of Belle Vernon; she was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church. Julia was an eighth grade student at Belmar Middle School; was an honor student and participated in numerous school activities. She was an eight-year member of the Martinettes Twirling Corp.; a member of the St. Sebastian Youth Group; and her passion and hobby included collecting giraffes and; on a recent trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo; she had the opportunity to pet and feed the giraffes in their pens. Julia was loved dearly by all of her family and friends. In addition to her parents; she is survived by a brother; Timothy R. Balchak Jr.; and a sister; Deidra M. Balchak; both at home; paternal grandparents; Robert and Eva Lou Balchak; of Uniontown; maternal grandmother; Judith Williamson; of Belle Vernon; five aunts; Kathy Ryan; of Uniontown; Colleen Antonini; of Fombell; Pa.; Renee Williamson; of Belle Vernon; Jeanie Nipaver; of Shaler; and Sheri Williamson; of Monessen; two uncles; Thomas Balchak; of Sicklerville; N.J.; and Jerome Nipaver; of Shaler; her special best friend; Miranda Filak; special cousin; Robert Williamson; and three cats; Goober; Peanut and Pumpkin. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather; James R. Williamson. Visitation will be held on Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATIONS; Family Owned and Operated; 626 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon; (724) 929-6183. Prayer service will be held Saturday at 8:45 a.m. in the funeral home followed by a Funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m. at St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church with the Rev. Msgr. Roger A. Statnick; pastor; as celebrant. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Members of St. Sebastian parish will pray the rosary for the departed soul of Julia Friday at 1:45 p.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made in memory of Julia R. Balchak to Children’s Hospital; Oncology Department. As a convenience to the family; condolences are accepted and given to the family from the funeral home’s website; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.

Inez Wilson; 91; of Pricedale; Rostraver Township; peacefully slipped into the arms of her Lord and Savior; Jesus Christ and earned her place among the Saints of God. She was born Sept. 2; 1922; in Smock; Pa. She was the oldest of seven children. She attended public school in Pricedale; where she lived her life. Inez was a longtime member of Antioch Baptist Church in Belle Vernon; where she sang in the church choir. She was a strong believer in prayer and loved music. On July 29; 1948; she married Hayward R. Wilson Sr. They had two children; Hayward Jr. and Sandra Lee. Inez was a devoted wife and mother. Gifted with an extra measure of compassion; she possessed an generous spirit. She saw to it that her family was taken care of first and provided the best she could for others in the community. Inez lived a full life and left an example for her family to continue. Two words that best describe her are light and laughter . Besides her devoted children; her memory will live on in her sisters; Beryl Woods and Shirley Woodson; her son-in-law Robert Steward; best friend Martha Chambers; daughter-in-law; Ellanore Wilson; grandchildren; Sonya; Yvonne; Shavonne; Keisha; Alexia and Jackie; great-grandchildren; Cedric; Jada; Terrell; and Robert; and a host of nieces; nephews and friends. Viewing will be on Thursday; Dec. 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Antioch Baptist Church; Belle Vernon; with service to follow at 11 a.m. Friday; Dec. 20; in the church with the Rev. Clifford Carter; pastor of Antioch Baptist Church; officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Final celebration has been gently placed into the hands of HOUSE OF JACKSON MEMORIAL CHAPEL; 546 Thompson Ave.; Donora; PA.; 724-379-5420; Karl Jackson; Funeral Director.

Richard D. Big Rich Grogan Sr;75;of Monessen;departed this world on Thursday;Jan.5;2012. He was born July 30;1936;in Charleroi;the son of the late Bertha Levy Thompson and Andrew Grogan Sr.;and stepfather;Stanley Thompson. In addition to his parents;he was preceded in death by a son;Albert Albie Grogan;daughter;Lynn Grogan Chaney;grandson;Robert Jboy Bristol;brother;Ronald Grogan;sister;Fannie Heath;and nephew;Joseph JoJo Heath. He was retired from Wheeling- Pittsburgh Steel after 30 years of service. He also worked for Agape Day Treatment Center in Monessen;sharing numerous vocational skills with the students. He coached midget league football for many years;and he was an excellent softball player. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years;Shirley Grogan;daughters;Darlene Grogan;Lorrie Grogan;Cheresse (Robert) Grogan-Bristol;with whom he lived;sons;Richard Grogan Jr.;David Grogan and Byron Grogan;Marsha Levy-Ingraham;who was like a daughter to him;sisters;Arlene Tyler;Karen (Charles) Grogan-Ford;Pat Grogan;Joan Grogan;Vonnie (Butch) Duncan and Lois Thomas;brothers;Andrew Grogan Jr.;Dale Grogan and Raymond Grogan;30 grandchildren;eight great-grandchildren;a childhood friend;William Bronson;and numerous nieces;nephews;other relative and friends. Visitation will be held from 6 to 9 p.m.Sunday;Jan.8;2012;in Mt.Calvary Baptist Church;230 Reed Ave.;Monessen. An additional viewing will be held in the church on Monday;Jan.9;from 10 to 11 a.m.;the hour of service with Minister Millie Thomas officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to the BEVERLY C.DRAPER FUNERAL HOME INC.;608 Sixth St.;Monessen;(724) 684-6242.

Nellie Fritsky; 81; of Belle Vernon; Rostraver Township; died Wednesday; Jan. 4; 2012; at 8:50 p.m. at Monongahela Valley Hospital; Carroll Township. Born May 3; 1930; in Rostraver Township; she was the daughter of the late Wassil and Mary Staranka Fritsky. A resident of Rostraver Township; Mrs. Fritsky was Orthodox by faith and was a retired bank teller from National City Bank; North Belle Vernon. She is survived by a sister; Helen Fritsky; brother and sister-in-law; William and Nancy Fritsky; brother-in-law; Vincent J. Dobos; nieces and nephews; John Fritsky; Laura Korte; Vincent E. Dobos; and great-nephews; Chase Mattis; Christopher Fritsky and Jacob Fritsky. She is preceded in death by two brothers; Anthony and Alexander Fritsky; and a sister; Anna Dobos. Visitation and funeral services were private for the family with the Rev. Igor Soroka of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church officiating at the PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATIONS; Family Owned and Operated; 626 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon; (724) 929-6183. Interment took place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Condolences accepted at the funeral home’s website; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.