Karl Polacek

Karl ‘Mike’ Polacek, 77, of Belle Vernon, Washington Twp., passed away Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at Mt. Macrina Manor, Uniontown. Born August 16, 1948 in Pittsburgh, PA he was the son of the late Michael and Anna Surovchak Polacek. A resident of Belle Vernon for the past 40 years, Mr. Polacek was a member of Lynnwood Lutheran Church, was retired from Tribune Review, Greensburg, where he worked as a newspaper writer and editor. Karl helped found Community Ambulance Service of Washington Twp, where he was one of the first medics in the county. He graduated from Charleroi High School Class of 1966 and from Penn State University. GO LIONS!! Karl was a veteran of the Vietnam War where he served in the US Army Chemical Unit. He was a member of the North Belle Vernon VFW Post 699 where he served as the chaplain.

He is survived by his wife Patricia McLaughlin Polacek to whom he was married for 56 years, two daughters Amy (Dave) Curry of McCandless Twp., Kelly Bedner (Tom Kearns) of Smithfield, and was Pap to Alice Buse and Kristen Buse of Columbus, OH.

Visitation will be held Thursday from 5-7:30 PM followed by funeral services at 7:30 PM with Pastor Peter Astlin officiating at the Parzynski Funeral Home & Cremations LLC, Family Owned and Operated, 626 Broad Avenue, Belle Vernon 724-929-6183. Interment will take place in The Cemetery of the Alleghenies.