John Marco Kovatch

Enjoyed time with grandkids, playing golf with friends. John Marco Kovatch, 73, of Chartiers Township, passed away Thursday, September 10, 2009. He was born December 6, 1935, in Yukon, a son of the late John Kovatch and Marie Poznick Kovatch, who lived in Meadow Lands. Mr. Kovatch was a 1953 graduate of Chartiers-Houston High School. He worked for Roccon & Sons before working at McGraw Edison in Canonsburg for 11 years. Mr. Kovatch was self-employed at J.K. Home Remodeling for 12 years with his longtime friend, Jim Kimberland. He was a co-founder, along with his wife and good friends, Paul and Dorothy Lapcevic, of Lapko Enterprises, which later became Strive Enterprises. At the time of his death, he worked for his son, John Kovatch. He attended Meadowlands Methodist Church until 1956, when the Rev. Howell Jones passed away. Mr. Kovatch loved for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to visit him. He enjoyed building and fixing things around the house, as well as playing cards and playing golf with his friends at Andover Country Club. On November 12, 1955, in Avery United Methodist Church, he married Ruth Stienstraw. The late Rev. Jacob Stienstraw officiated the ceremony. Surviving, in addition to his wife, are two daughters, Sherry Balaban (Thomas) of Avella and Carol Cregut of Washington; three sons, John Kovatch (Mildred), Barry Kovatch (Vonnie) and Tracy Kovatch (Lisa), all of Washington; 12 grandchildren, Tiffany Felix (Kevin) of Washington, Kenny Keenan, Adam Keenan and Megan Keenan (Dan Hewitt), all of Avella, John Kovatch (Michelle) of Reedsville, Colt Kovatch (Mandy) of Houston, Joshua and Jessica Kovatch, Shane and Nikki Kovatch, and Haley and Jared Cregut, all of Washington; a stepgrandchild, Michael Kovatch; six great-grandchildren, Tessa Kovatch and Anthony Romano, both of Washington, Jonathan Kovatch of Reedsville, Mason and Hayden Hewitt of Avella and Cooper Felix of Washington; two sisters, Rose Marie Hoefler of Washington and Elizabeth Magnetta of St. Petersburg, Fla.; and many loving nieces and nephews. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, September 14. Burial will follow in Washington Cemetery.