Rita M. (Escareno) Stanley; 62; of Monessen; died Sunday; Jan. 18; 2009; in Monongahela Valley Hospital Inc. She was born in North Charleroi on May 8; 1946; the daughter of the late Frank and Ann (Vegas) Escareno. Rita was a lifelong resident of Monessen and a member of Epiphany of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church and Eagles Aerie 2399. For the past eight years; she worked at the Belle Vernon Eat ‘n Park Restaurant. She is survived by her husband; Edward E. Stanley; a son and daughter-in-law; Richard and Linda Matthews; of North Charleroi; a daughter; Michelle Matthews; of Monongahela; a brother and sister-in-law; Daniel and Peggy Escareno; of Baldwin; a sister; Adella Marshall; of Monongahela; and four grandchildren; Robbie Calderone and Ashley; Arista and Brennan Matthews. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her first husband; Robert E. Matthews Sr.; a brother; Frankie Escareno; and an infant son; Robert E. Matthews Jr. Friends will be received Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the DALFONSO-BILLICK FUNERAL HOME INC. and CREMATION SERVICES; 441 Reed Ave.; Monessen (724-684-8750). Services will be held Wednesday; Jan. 21; beginning with a 9:30 a.m. Blessing in the funeral home; followed by a 10 a.m. Funeral Mass in Epiphany of Our Lord R.C. Church. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Condolences accepted for the family at www.dalfonso-billick.com

Catherine A. Balieu; 69; of Stockdale; passed away unexpectedly at her home on Saturday; Jan. 17; 2009. Born in Brownsville on April 11; 1939; she was a daughter of the late William and Sophie (Kino) Parshall. She was a member of the Speers United Methodist Church and the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR). Catherine enjoyed taking trips with her husband to the casinos in Atlantic City; Wheeling and the Meadows. Survivors include her husband of 49 years; Art; two daughters and sons-in-law; Lori and Sam Spina and Cathy and Robert Dean; all of Stockdale; one son and daughter-in-law; Charles and Jennifer Balieu; of Speers; grandchildren; Christie and Ryan Dean; Sammy and Mara Spina; and Payton Balieu; mother-in-law and father-in- law; Sara and Charles Balieu; sister-in-law; Joyce Harris and husband Dave; and sister-in-law; Mary Parshall; and her best friend; Carol Simala. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her brothers; William and John Parshall; and sister-in-law; Rose Parshall. Friends will be received Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the MELENYZER-DuBARR FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATION SERVICES INC.; Roscoe (724-938-9323). A funeral service will be held Wednesday; Jan. 21; at 11 a.m. in the Speers United Methodist Church with the Rev. Les Hutchins officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. For those unable to attend; on-line condolences will be accepted at www.melenyzer-dubarr.com

Sophie Gidick Soroka; 80; of Houston; died Sunday; July 26; 2009; at 1:56 p.m. at Canonsburg General Hospital; Canonsburg. Born March 13; 1929; in Belle Vernon; she was the daughter of the late Charles and Mary Gidick. Mrs. Soroka was a resident of Houston for the past 20 years; having previously resided in Finleyville for 27 years. She was a homemaker and Ukrainian Orthodox by faith. She is survived by her husband; Pete Soroka; two daughters and son-in-law Kathleen and John Rockovich; of Scenery Hill; Shirley and Greg Ramsey; of Seattle; Wash.; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a sister; Evelyn Johnston; of Pittsburgh. She was preceded in death by seven brothers Mike; Frank; Charles; Steve; George; John and Pete Gidick; and two sisters; Ann Moon and Helen Smith. Private visitation and funeral services were held at the LEONARD J. PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME; Family Owned and Operated; 626 Broad Avenue; Belle Vernon; 724-929-6183; with the Rev. Igor Soroka officiating. Interment took place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. As a convenience to the family condolences are accepted and given to the family from the funeral homes Web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com