On Thursday;September 24th; 2009 at Jefferson Regional Medical Center;Jefferson Hills;Pa Gregory Andre Lacey departed this earthy life. Gregory was the youngest of 5 siblings and the son of the late Harry C.and Margaret Lacey. He was preceded in death by siblings Lawon Brown and Selena Payton. Gregory;known to most as Andre ;was born on June 3rd 1951 in Washington;D.C. He was educated in the D.C.Public Schools. Gregory was employed in sales;Store Manager and later as a Journey Man at Shoppers Food Warehouse. He was well respected and admired by his co-workers. Gregory married Linda Mitchell in 1975. While living in Maryland;he was a Member of Fairhaven Methodist Church in Darnestown;Md. Gregory retired early due to illness and relocated to Monessen;Pa in 2006. He attended Highland Baptist Church in Connellsville;Pa and sometimes sang in the choir. He enjoyed family;cooking;fishing on the Chesapeake Bay;photography;surfing the net;repairing computers;bowling;playing the bass guitar and even had a little family band. He also enjoyed making DVD’s for family and friends;and ordering from QVC. Gregory will be remembered for his smile and discussions/debates he shared with family and friends. Left with cherished memories;his loving wife Linda;sister;Deloris (George) and brother Harry (Shelia);godson;Devin Payton;brothers-in-laws;nephews;nieces;cousins;extended family and of course his dogs;Chochee and Mr.Beasley.

Robert L. Mason; Sr.; 68; of Belle Vernon; went to be with the angels on Friday; September 25; 2009 in Mon Valley Hospital. A son of the late Lowman and Eleanor Hilty Mason; he was born in Belle Vernon on January 25; 1941. Protestant by faith; he was a member of the Belle Vernon American Legion Post 659; the Fairhope Rod and Gun Club and was an organizer and charter member of the Mon Valley Chordsmen. A lifelong resident of Belle Vernon; Bob was an avid hunter and fisherman; loved woodworking and managed the Belle Vernon Moose softball team for ten years. A U.S. Army veteran; he served with the field artillery; service battalion; 2nd howitzer division. He had worked as a carpet installer for the former Stern’s Furniture Company and retired from the Allenport Plant of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Company. Survivors include his wife of 47 years; Judy Swaney Mason; one daughter and son-in-law; Robin and Bill Owens of Belle Vernon; one son and daughter-in-law; Robert and Tina Mason of Newell; three sisters; Janice Garletts of Mt. Pleasant; Diane Angel and Rebecca Pezzelle; both of Belle Vernon and two grandchildren; Meghan Betham and William Owens; both of Belle Vernon. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by one sister; Emily Griest. Graveside services will be Thursday; October 1; 2009 at 11 A.M. with Rev. J.E. Mitchell officiating. The Ferguson Funeral Home and Crematory; Inc.; 724-929-5300; 700 Broad Avenue; Belle Vernon is handling arrangements. www.FergusonFuneralHomeAndCrematory.com

Betty J. Simpson Dillard; 82; of Northern Cambria; formerly of Belle Vernon; departed this life Sept. 24; 2009; in Conemaugh Hospital in Johnstown. Born Feb. 2; 1927; in Belle Vernon; she was a daughter of the late Nelson and Josephine Batch Simpson. Betty was an avid homemaker and loyal member of Speer Street A.M.E. Church. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her devoted husband; John Jack R. Dillard Sr.; eight brothers: James; Lawrence; Nelson; Robert; Louis; Henry; Keith and Dale Simpson; and two sisters; Hazel Simpson Chilton; and Ethel Simpson Chilton. Betty is survived by two sons; John R. (Michelle) Dillard Jr. of Powell; Ohio; and Kimberly V. Dillard of Northern Cambria; one grandson; Shawn Dillard of York; and three granddaughters; Stacy Dillard of Dublin; Ohio; Ruby Dillard of Zanesville; Ohio; and Melissa Dillard of Northern Cambria; one sister; Velma Frazier of Belle Vernon; several great-grandchildren; a host of nieces; nephews and friends. A private service will be held Saturday; Sept. 26; at 10 a.m. in the Belle Vernon Cemetery chapel; 1000 Broad Ave; Belle Vernon. Arrangements have been entrusted to BEVERLY C. DRAPER FUNERAL HOME INC.; 608 Sixth Street; Monessen; (724) 684-6242.

Hiawatha Ronald Humphries; affectionately called BooBoo ; was born in Washington; D.C.; on Dec. 22; 1950; to the late Martha W. Humphries (who preceded him in death; in August 1996). He was born with Downs Syndrome and was developmentally and physically handicapped; unable to speak. In spite of his disability; he was cared for and surrounded by his mother and family; until he required special and professional care. He was placed in Western State School; located in Canonsburg; in 1961 and remained there for 33 years. In 1994; Hiawatha was transferred to Zajack’s Group Home in Monessen; where he was lovingly cared for by the staff. After numerous health problems; he made his transition on September 15; 2009. Hiawatha is survived by his sister; Wynona Campbell of Detroit; Mich; two nieces; Marva and Angela; two great- nieces and two great nephews; all of Detroit; Mich. He also is survived by one aunt; Mrs. Dorcas V. Glascoe of Washington; D.C.; as well as a host of cousins. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday; Sept. 18; 2009; at the Beverly C. Draper Funeral Home with Minister Millie Thomas officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to the BEVERLY C. DRAPER FUNERAL HOME INC.; 608 Sixth St.; Monessen (724) 684-6242.