Obituaries
March 14, 2026

Karen L. Hess Dzonko Poziviak – Dunlevy, formerly of Belle Vernon

DUNLEVY, FORMERLY OF BELLE VERNON Karen L. Hess Dzonko Poziviak, 77, of Dunlevy, formerly of Belle Vernon, passed away Monday, March 9, 2026, at Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh. Born July 30, 1948, in Belle Vernon, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Jean Nix Hess. A resident of Dunlevy for the past 50 years, Mrs. Poziviak was Lutheran by faith. Karen was a retired nurse’s aide from Albert Gallatin Home Care. She was an active member at the Charleroi Senior Center, enjoyed quilting and sewing, and most of all spending time with her children and grandchildren. She is survived by son and daughter- in-law, Michael and Kelly Dzonko of Stockdale; daughter and son-in-law, Raenelle and Brian Franklin of North Charleroi; son and daughter-in-law, Russell and Danielle Poziviak of St. Clairsville; two brothers and sister-in-law, Fred Hess of Charleroi and Thomas and Vicki Hess of Belle Vernon; brother-in-law, James Dzatko of Monessen; and five grandchildren, Micah Dzonko, Addyson Poziviak, Braylynn Franklin, Olivia Poziviak and Evan Poziviak. She is preceded in death by her first husband, James W. Dzonko; second husband John Poziviak; son, Eric Lee Dzonko; sister, Kathryn Hess Dzatko; and niece, Kimberly Ann Hess. Private interment took place Friday at Belle Vernon Cemetery. Karen’s funeral arrangements have been entrusted to PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME & CREMATIONS LLC, family owned and operated, 626 Broad Ave., Belle Vernon, 724-9296183. Condolences accepted at the funeral home’s website, www.parzynskifuneralhome. com.

MVI to celebrate 10 years as Valley’s newspaper
Main
By By STACY WOLFORD swolford@yourmvi.com 
April 28, 2026
A decade after opening, the Mon Valley Independent will mark the occasion with a special celebration on Saturday. A decade ago, the Mon Valley Independent rose from the ashes of newspaper graveyards a...
Main
April 28, 2026
We’ll have coverage of a special student government day in Charleroi in tomorrow’s MVI.
Main
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
April 28, 2026
The Monongahela facility will use the money to promote RiverFest in June and WitchFest in October. A fresh round of tourism grants is putting dollars into the Mon Valley, with funding set to support e...
Main
April 28, 2026
Commissioners also discussed reviving the tradition of Community Cleanup Days. By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com A new county-wide program could benefit Elizabeth Township. During a recent workshop ...
Police welcome electric vehicle
News
NORTH BELLE VERNON
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
April 28, 2026
The Ford F-150 Lightning Pro Special Services Vehicle, purchased with an LSA grant, is a first for the borough. North Belle Vernon is looking ahead after adding a new piece of equipment to its police ...