Joseph Vona

Mr. Joseph Vona, 91, a well known businessman and community leader, who resided at 7701 Dance Hall Road, Frederick, died on Wednesday, October 26, 2005.

He was the husband of Susan Finley Vona and his first wife of 52 years Helene Gregory Vona, who died September 10, 1994.

Born in Italy on March 23, 1914, he was a son of the late Dominic Antonio and Maria Gigliotti Vona. Mr. Vona was reared in Connellsville, Pa., he was a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh having received a football scholarship which also led him to play in the Pittsburgh Steelers Football organization. He then started working for the Westinghouse Corporation as an electrical engineer, and as such, he worked on the construction of Hoover Dam. He joined the United States Army, during WW II and was in England working with the Army Corps of Engineers . During his time of serving his country , he became Lt. Col. He then served in the Reserves and was commander at Camp Detrick in Frederick until 1953. Together with his wife ,he bought the Excelsior Dairy in Frederick in 1946. In the early 1960's they changed the name to it's present, Dairy Maid Dairy, where he was active as president until the 1990's, when his two sons took over management of the business.

The Vona family became well known for their pride in raising, breeding, and selling Morgan Horses and had the largest Morgan Horse Farm south of New York.

He was a former member of the First Baptist Church of Frederick , where he served as a deacon and was a current member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Mr. Vona had a great love for sports and in addition to donating his time and money, always encouraged the participation of young people. He was one of the founders of the Pop Warner Midget Football League, he also was a coach of a semi-pro football team in Frederick and sponsored a Babe Ruth Team. He was also a founding member of the Frederick Touchdown Club and helped organize the Maryland Terrapins Club, of which he was a life member and past president.

Mr. Vona was a life member of the Kiwanis, Elks Lodge, American Legion, and was on the advisory board for the Salvation Army. He was also active with many other civic clubs and organizations in Frederick.

Surviving in addition to his wife are his four children, Helene Gregory Provine and husband Rev. Dr. Jon T. Diefenthaler of Columbia, Jody Vona and wife Jayne of Frederick, Jimmy Vona and wife Judy of Pasadena and Rosemary Vona Bernier and husband Bob of Norfolk, Mass.; three sisters, Rose Vona, Ann Davidson and husband Dave, all of Connellsville, Pa., and Philly Prudente, of Chico, Calif., seven grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He will also be remembered by his father-in-law, Otto A. Finley, of Levels, W. Va.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, October 30, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., at the Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, 106 E. Church St., Frederick. Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 31, at 11 a.m., from the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 31 East Church Street, Frederick. The Rev. Dr. David G. Oravec, will officiate. Interment will be in the Mount Olivet Cemetery, Frederick.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army of Frederick, P.O. Box 1003, Frederick, Maryland 21705-1003.