Mary Alice Kovatch

ELKHART-Mary Alice Kovatch, 88, passed away January 27, 2018 at Greenleaf Health Campus. She was born May 14, 1929 in Elkhart to Henry & Ida (Godshalk) Defreese. On May 16, 1948 she married John B. Kovatch; he preceded her in death on December 27, 1998. She was also preceded in death by her parents, 1 son; Charles Kovatch, granddaughter; Patty Kovatch, 6 sisters; Wilma Coddington, Marjorie Garrett, Delores Shipley, Lois Defreese, Nellie Defreese, Emma Defreese, 8 brothers; Frank, Charles, John, Donald, Robert, Grover, Harold and Louis Defreese. Surviving are 2 children; Kathy Kovatch, Jon (Penny) Kovatch, 1 foster son Stephen Johnson, 3 grandchildren; Nicholas Kovatch, Jonell (Jesse) Witkowski and Chase Kovatch. Also surviving are 2 great-grandchildren; Annabelle & Josilyn Witkowski. Mary worked for GTE for 45 years before retiring in 1991 from the engineering department and was also a teacher's aide for many years at Monger, Mary Beck, and Pierre Moran schools. She attended Goshen College, was a member of the First Brethren Church in Elkhart, and was involved in the Elderberries and the Christ Commissary. In her spare time she coached boy's baseball for little league, women's slow pitch, went to nationals in 1981 and was involved in Hydroplane boat racing in the Powder Puff division. She also enjoyed playing cards, deer hunting and fishing. Visitation will be held Thursday, February 1, 2018 from 4-7 p.m. at Walley-Mills-Zimmerman Funeral Home. Additional visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the 12 noon funeral service on Friday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Prairie Street Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to the United Cancer Services of Elkhart County. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mary Alice Kovatch please visit our Sympathy Store.

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