William Ronald Kovach

William Ronald Kovach, 86, passed away on July 8,2025. He was born in Dilliner, PA, on September 23, 1938 to the late William and Sophia (nee Buchan) Kovach.
He is survived by his daughter, Carlene Rocheck (Michael), daughter-in law, Rosa Kovach, cherished grandchildren, Samantha Brewster, (Tom), Kayleigh Rocheck, (Ken), "Dylan"Rocheck, Meghan Kovach, Ally Kovach (Dylan) and three great-grandsons, Kobe and Remy Brewster and Rooney Franklin. He also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Beverley Kovach, his son, Christopher Kovach, who was his best friend, his parents, and his only sibling, Patricia McIntyre, along with many friends.
After graduating from Mapletown High School in 1956, Bill joined the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. After his discharge, he moved to Cleveland, OH, which at that time was an important manufacturing city that was a land of opportunity for those looking for the "American Dream." Bill got a job as a floor sweeper at U.S Steel, and over the years, he worked his way up to supervisory positions. When Bill visited his parents one Easter back in PA, his life changed forever. He went out with friends that weekend and asked a pretty girl named Beverley Siler from Mt. Morris to dance. Beverley and Bill began dating. Bill traveled to PA every weekend to see his girl and always brought her the new 45 records that had just come out. They were married on June 30, 1962, in both a Methodist ceremony in Mt. Morris, and a Serbian Orthodox ceremony in Masontown, PA. The newly married couple enjoyed many happy years living on Cleveland's Westside where they welcomed their baby girl, Carlene, in 1963 and son, Christopher, in 1968. The family moved to Brunswick, OH in 1977, and Bill and Bev remained in their Cherry Lane home for 47 years.
Family was everything to Bill and he worked very hard to provide a solid middle-class life for his wife and kids. It was a given for him, that his children would go to college, since he didn't have the opportunity. He coached Carlene's summer softball teams throughout her school years, eventually winning the BYS championship twice as the coach of the Brown team. He also coached Christopher's baseball teams and was his son's biggest cheerleader when he played on the high school baseball team as a pitcher. In addition to helping with his kids' teams, Bill valued giving back to the community and over the years was a Junior Achievement advisor and a coach for his only grandson, Dylan's, Special Olympics bowling and golf leagues.
Bill spent more than fifty years working in steel mills. He worked for US Steel, Dover Steel, Gibraltar and Worthington. Additionally, when his kids grew up, he took on a second job umpiring high school baseball games. Even after retiring, in his early 70's, he decided to keep working and he became a school bus driver for the Brunswick City Schools.
Bill was a wonderful "Poppy" to his grandchildren and was always able to show a softer side of himself to them. He was at every dance recital, football game, tee ball and softball game, bowling tournament, and any other big or small event in their lives. When computers first came out and were very expensive, he bought his two oldest granddaughters their first computer. When his youngest granddaughters wanted to go to Disney World, he helped make that happen. He was beyond generous to his family, always treating to dinners, and helping to provide the extras that his children and grandchildren wanted. He loved playing golf - especially with his son, and his son's buddies. He also enjoyed many golf trips with his father, Will, his son, Chris, his son-in-law, Michael, and his son-in-law's father, Michael Albert. Annual golf trips to Myrtle Beach were always a highlight of his year. Bill also loved driving convertibles and he and his Bevy spent most of the sunny days cruising all over Ohio, listening to their favorite 50's songs and visiting their favorite restaurants. Bill and Beverley lived a simple life, but it was happy and full of love for their family, and their family loved them back mightily.
Over the past three years, the life Bill knew with Bev started to slow down and slip through their grasp with both facing health issues; despite their strong desire for independence, Bill and Bev required more help from their children. It should be mentioned that Michael and Rosa loved and cared for them as if they were their own parents. Additionally, special angels, Bernice Rocheck and Bernadette Gross gave them help, love and company. We are forever grateful and missing them.
Family will welcome friends at Waite Funeral Home, Brunswick Ohio from 1:00 p.m - 7:00 p.m on Thursday, July 17th. Service will be held at the funeral home at 12 noon on Friday, July 18. Interment will follow at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery at 1:45 p.m. Please arrive to the cemetery at 1:30pm. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.waitefuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a contribution in Bill's name to Medina County Special Olympics, or the Greater Cleveland Alzheimer's Association.
To send a flower arrangement in memory of
William Ronald Kovach, please click here to visit our sympathy store.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of William Ronald Kovach, please click here to visit our sympathy store.
Waite Funeral Homes - Brunswick Chapel