Wilma Catherine Kovach

Wilma Catherine Kovach of Owendale, age 102, passed away Monday, June 8, 2026, at her home following a long life well lived. She was born in Pigeon, Michigan, on June 6, 1924, to the late William and Emma (Stueck) Voss. She attended school at the Weiss one room schoolhouse. On April 19, 1947, she was united in marriage to Alex Kovach at the St. Paul Lutheran church in Linkville where she was a lifelong and devoted member. Alex preceded her in death on April 15, 2001.

Wilma worked on the family farm throughout her childhood before going on something of an adventure. As she told it, “I finished working in the beets on Wednesday, hitched a ride with the egg man to Detroit on Thursday, and found a job on Friday.” Wilma was employed in an airplane factory for several years, leading to her becoming a member of the Michigan Rosie the Riveter Association. She attended St. Paul Lutheran Church her whole life and was active within the church community. She took part in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, as well as serving as a member of all St. Paul organizations. Wilma supplied flowers and produce to the church and provided many beautifully crocheted doilies to the church bazaar.

In her free time, Wilma was an avid bowler who spent over 50 years with her friends at the bowling alley. She also loved playing euchre and pinochle with her family and friends. In her more solitary moments, she worked on cryptograms and wrote poetry to commemorate special occasions.

Wilma is survived by daughters, Carolyn Bilunes of Holt and Kathleen (Erwin Burkle) Kovach of Farmington Hills; sons, Alex (Helen) Kovach Jr. of Sebewaing and Jeffrey Kovach of Owendale; grandchildren, Matthew (Charlene) Belunas, Ty Bilunes, Sara Barker, Kevin (Kristin) Kovach, Erin (Nick Grygiel) Kovach, and Amanda Robinson; great grandchildren, Ariana, Preston, Benjamin, Desmond, Jack, and Hanna; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her darling husband, Alex; infant son, William; son-in-law, Paul Bilunes; daughter-in-law, Diane Kovach; sisters, Mildred Damm and Gladys Schuette; brother, William Voss; and step great-grandchild, Gage Neal-Belunes.

A funeral service for Wilma will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 12, 2026, at St. Paul Lutheran Church – Linkville, 7292 Kilmanagh Rd, Pigeon, MI 48755, with Pastor Chris Suggitt presiding. Visitation will take place from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, at Ransford Funeral Home – Pigeon, 7356 West Michigan Avenue, Pigeon, and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Friday. Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church – Linkville.

Wilma lived a long life full of many treasured memories and was grateful for the love she was able to share with the countless people whose lives she touched. It is said that a grateful heart is closest to the riches of the universe.