Bernadette Kovatch

Bernadette "Verna Mae" Kovatch, 72, of Wenona, IL, gently slipped away peacefully at her home at 1:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015 after fighting a long battle with cancer. She was born on Nov. 10, 1941, in Madrid, Ala., to Willie and Katherine (Austin) Rich. She married John "Jack" Kovatch on April 23, 1960, in Panama City, Fla. He survives. She also is survived by her children: Frank (Ann) Kovatch, of Durham, N.C., Sephora "Sophie" (Ray) Clapper of Indianapolis, Ind., Marcia Kovatch, of Wenona, and Michele Piquard, of Woodbridge, Va.; two grandsons, Travis Crane and Dennis Corbin III; her siblings, Sue Ford, of Dothan, Ala., Hershel (Mary Ann) Rich, of Atlanta, Ga., and Margret Lena (George) Rogers, of Dothan, Ala.; and six nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents. She graduated from Dothan High School and had been a homemaker most of her life, having worked at the Beef & Brew in Tacoma, Wa. She loved to travel and especially loved to shop. She was an avid coupon collector and loved Christmas. She also was a Crimson Tide Fan and secondly a Blackhawks fan. But her true love was for cooking and her children. Visitation was held from 9 to 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday, October 7th at St. Mary's Church in Wenona followed by an 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at the church. Cremation rites will be held following the Mass with inurnment at St. Mary's Cemetery in Wenona at a later date. Memorials may be made to Wounded Warriors or Community Cancer Center in Bloomington-Normal. Hurst Funeral Home in Wenona, IL, 815-223-0380, is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be viewed and remembrances shared at hurstfuneralhomes.com. Sign the guestbook at www.dothaneagle.com.