Obituaries
January 14, 2019

James J. Pozum – Belle Vernon

By obits

James J. Pozum, 80, of Belle Vernon, Fairhope, passed away Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019, at his home. Born Feb. 10, 1938, in Fairhope, he was the son of the late James W. and Olga Oleynik Pozum. A lifelong resident of Fairhope, Mr. Pozum was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Pozum was a retired lumber foreman from Sadowski Lumber Co., Fairhope, worked at the Stewart at the Fairhope Rod & Gun Club and at Belle Vernon Cemetery. Jim was a member of the Naomi Athletic Club, the Fairhope Rod & Gun Club and was a social member of the Belle Vernon American Legion. Jim had a polka band, The Treble Orchestra, for 50 years, was an avid gardener and enjoyed hunting. He is survived by his wife, Joy Atkinson Pozum, to whom he was married 60 years; two daughters and a son-in-law, Karen and JD Taylor of Belle Vernon and Jami Jodon of Belle Vernon; two grandchildren, Courtny Navatsyk and husband Phil and Jacob Taylor; and two sisters, Dorothy Rodgers of Belle Vernon and Florida and Lillian Laird of Belle Vernon. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME & CREMATIONS, family owned and operated, 626 Broad Ave., Belle Vernon, 724-929-6183. Prayers of Transfer will be held at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home, followed by a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at St. Sebastian R.C. Church with the Rev. Francisco R. Gan Jr., 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 James Pozum at 3. p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home. Condolences accepted at the funeral home’s website, www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.

 

Newcomers, regulars welcome Riverfest
Latest News, Main
By MICHAEL VINSICK mvinsick@yourmvi.com 
July 25, 2026
The annual celebration in Elizabeth continues today with a full schedule of events. Elizabeth’s Riverfest got off to a lively start Friday night, with vendors, games and a live music performance from ...
Smoke may return to Valley next week
Latest News, Main
By By HALEY MORELAND TribLive 
July 25, 2026
Wildfire smoke from the west could turn Mon Valley skies hazy again. The smoke that clouded Pittsburgh’s skies last week may return as wildfire smoke in Oregon and Washington mixes with smoke from the...
Former Charleroi official seeing the U.S. after retiring
Latest News, Main
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
July 25, 2026
Roberta Doerfler and her husband, former Mayor Gregg Doerfler, traveled more than 5,000 miles through the Great Plains. Retirement has taken Roberta Doerfler exactly where she hoped it would. Just day...
Paving schedule approved
Latest News, Main
CARROLL TOWNSHIP
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
July 25, 2026
Several Carroll Township roads are set to receive upgrades this summer as township supervisors move forward with the 2026 paving program. During their July 7 meeting, supervisors awarded the paving co...
Many Pa. libraries are evolving into community centers. Why is their funding staying flat?
Around The Valley, Latest News
By By SUSAN SHELLY MCGOVERN For Spotlight PA 
July 25, 2026
Libraries have expanded their services to offer game nights, health services and more. But the programming comes with costs they increasingly can’t afford, and funding sources fluctuate. As funding re...
McKeesport police seek missing person
Around The Valley
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
July 25, 2026
The City of McKeesport Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating Frank Olds, a 70-year-old Black male who has been reported missing and is considered endangered. Olds was last seen...