Joseph C. Kovach, 90 of Whiting passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 5, 2017 at the William J. Riley Memorial Residence, Munster. He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Helen (nee Bodnar); loving father of Deborah (Ronald) Yates of Schererville, Joseph (Karen) Kovach, Jr. of Georgetown, TX, Pamela (Michael) Davies of Munster, Ronald (Dora) Kovach of Chesterton and Judy (late Ron) Gotto of Omaha, NB; cherished grandfather of Ryan (Cassandra) Yates, Rachael Yates, Joseph D. (Wendy) Kovach, Erica Kovach, Megan Higgins, Patrick (Anne) Higgins, Mary, Ronald and Andrea Kovach, Erin (Matthew) VanderWerff and Colin Toohey; adoring great grandpa of Christina Kovach and Michael Higgins; proud uncle of many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Charles, John and Donald Kovach

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 9, 2017 at 9:30am at the Baran Funeral Home, 1235-119^th St., Whiting; a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:00am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Whiting with the Rev. Stanley J. Dominik, officiating; entombment, Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville; visitation at the funeral home on Sunday from 2:00 to 6:00pm.

Joe Kovach was born on November 1, 1926 in Whiting, Indiana to Karol and Mary Kovach and was a lifelong resident. He was a devoted member of the Immaculate Conception Church, Whiting, where he sang in the church choir for many years. He was a graduate of Whiting High School, Class of 1943, interrupted by WWII, where he served proudly in the US Navy, the start of his career at the Standard Oil Company, marriage and five children, Joe went back to school and earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University Calumet. Joe’s long and rewarding career at the Amoco Oil Company started as a machinist apprentice and ended 42 years later as a superintendent of the mechanical division and apprentice program. Joe was a member of the American Legion, Whiting Post 80 (memorial service, Sunday at 4:00pm), the Knights of Columbus, Pope John XXIII Council 1696 (prayers Sunday at 5:00pm) where he participated with the “Knight Sounds” singing group, the Slovak Gymnastic Sokol, Lodge 269, the American Slovak Club, Junior Achievement and the United Way. He spent many hours, as his grandchildren will warmly remember, having toys or appliances fixed at “Grandpa’s Fixit Shop” in his basement. Joe truly treasured the time spent with family and friends. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend to all who knew him. 

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