John W. Kovach, 84, of Panther Woods, Fort Pierce, Florida died unexpectedly Sunday February 8th at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center. John was born November 21, 1919 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and moved to the Treasure Coast in 1981 from Downers Grove, IL. Mr. Kovach was a Veteran of World War II, serving as a pilot in the US Army Air Corps. He had owned the Surf Restaurant in Fort Pierce and Vero Beach before his retirement. John was a member of the Panther Woods Country Club, the Elks Lodge of Ft. Pierce and the 401st Bombadier Group. John was predeceased by his first wife of 23 years, Marianne DiMatteo Kovach; his son John W. Kovach Jr. and Michael M. Verdonck; son of Elaine, to whom he was a second father. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Elaine Kovach; daughters Marianne (David) Gebhardt and Christine (Bruce Katz) Noel. John was a loving and caring second father to Debra (Stanley) Moyer and Michael’s wife Karen. He adored his grandchildren, David J. Gebhardt, Greg W. (Gina) Gebhardt, John J. Noel, Keira (Christopher) Rasely, Michael W. Verdonck, Matthew Bogar and Tina (Ruby) Sanabria; mother-in-law Edna Guarin and was loving uncle to many. A Memorial Service will be held 10 a.m. Friday February 13th, 2004 at the Panther Woods Clubhouse. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the charity of ones choice in memory of John Kovach. The Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero, Beach, FL is entrusted with arrangements.
