Bessie Ianni Block

Bessie A. (Helzel) Ianni Block , 85, of Greensburg, died Friday, March 18, 2016, in the Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital. She was born Dec. 26, 1930, in Congruity, a daughter of the late Louis and Hazel Stine Helzel. She was a member of St. Paul Church. She worked in the grocery industry for 57 years as a meat cutter at various stores in the Greensburg area, the last being the former Anderson's Market in Southwest Greensburg. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Joseph A. Ianni; her second husband, Robert "PeeWee" Block; three brothers, Art, Larry and Frank Helzel; a sister, MaryJo Cowley; and a stepdaughter, Linda Desmond. She is survived by her three sons, Joseph A. Ianni Jr. (Helen), of Yukon, Louis G. Ianni (Kara DeNezza) and Kevin M. Ianni (Karen), all of Adamsburg; a stepdaughter, Bonnie Rowe (Ron), of Delmont; nine grandchildren, Joseph A. Ianni III (Joanna), Jeffrey L. Ianni (Kristen), Kelly L. Simmons (Robin), Kristina M. Cunningham (Eric), Jennifer L. Ianni, Camie Svantner (Dan), Ricky Geisel (Michelle), Ryan Geisel (Chrissy) and Joey Salvio (Jami); nine great-grandchildren, Olivia and AJ Simmons, Jack and Isabel Cunningham, Jayden Salvio, Ashley Bemis, Anna Geisel, Jacob Salvio and Callie Svantner; a brother, William Helzel (Doris), of Missouri; a sister, Ruth Pologruto, of Mt. Pleasant; brothers and sisters-in-law, Vincent (Nancy) Zaccaria, of Jeannette, Carol Dallow (John), of Greensburg, Janet Helzel, of Jeannette and  Doris Ianni of Greensburg; daughter-in-law, Susan M. Ianni, of Greensburg; and numerous nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate the life of Bessie from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, March 21, 2016, in the CLEMENT L. PANTALONE FUNERAL HOME INC., 409 W. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg, PA 15601, 724-837-0020. Parting prayers will be held in the funeral home at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, March 22, 2016, followed by a funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday in St. Paul Parish. Interment will follow in Westmoreland County Memorial Park, Greensburg. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Bessie's family has entrusted her care to the PANTALONE FUNERAL HOME INC., Greensburg. To share your memories and photos, offer your condolences or for directions, please visit us at www.pantalone.com, Natale N. Pantalone, Supervisor.