CORTLAND - John J. Kovach, 68, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012, at his residence.
He was born Dec. 7, 1943, in Youngstown, the son of the late Frank Kovach Sr. and the late Mary Johnston Kovach.
John was a veteran of the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War, and worked as a lithographer for 40 years at both Cox Lithograph in Warren and City Printing in Youngstown, from where he retired in December 2011.
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John J. Kovach
He was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Cortland, where he was very active.
He was an accomplished bagpiper, having played for many different organizations and events on both the local level and the national level.
He belonged to the Cleveland Firefighters Memorial Pipes and Drums as well as the American Legion Post 540.
John was active with the Relay for Life as both a supporter and a walker.
He enjoyed primitive camping and was an avid model train enthusiast. However, his greatest joy came from the time he spent with his grandchildren.
He will be deeply missed by all those who had the privilege of knowing him.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra Mahaffey Kovach, whom he married on May 26, 1984; sons, Brian Kovach of Cortland and Eric (Lindsay) Kovach of Howland; a daughter, Kellie Rossi of Kent; and two brothers, Robert (Carol) Kovach of El Paso, Texas, and Frank (Mary) Kovach Jr. of Chandler, Ariz.
Also surviving are his four grandchildren, Tyler and Gabriel Rossi, and Erika and Ryan Kovach.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the Shafer-Winans Funeral Chapel in Cortland. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Cortland.
Burial will be in the Hillside Cemetery in Cortland, where both the Cleveland Firefighters Memorial Pipes and Drums and the Trumbull County American Legion Honor Guard will render honors.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in John's memory to the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 490 N. High St., Cortland, OH 44410.
Family and friends may view this obituary and send condolences at www.shaferwinanschapel.com.
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