Joseph Kovatch, age 88 passed away on September 25, 2015.

He was born in Massillon on Sept. 6, 1927 and was son of the late Jan and Eva (Elasky) Kovatch.

During World War ll Joseph (Joe) joined five of his brothers already serving in the military by proudly enlisting in the United States Navy at sixteen years of age; after the war he returned to Massillon subsequently starting his family. Settling into family life and after all three of his children were born at Massillon City Hospital he moved his young family to Cleveland where he was a long time member of the investment casting industry; proud to have played his role in the manufacture of medical and  military innovations such as the first artificial heart valves and high performance impeller blades. He retired after a forty-year career with Precision Metalsmiths Incorporated and returned to Massillon with his second wife Barbara; retiring for a second time five-years later from Kovatch Castings of Green, Ohio.

He is survived by his daughters Karen Kerby of Cuyahoga Falls, Deborah Janor of  Cleveland, son Rick (Joyce) Kovatch of Dublin, Ohio,  sisters Margaret Howell of Massillon and Ruth Pachis of Akron, brother Stephen Kovatch of Lancaster, grandchildren Michael Janor, Aaron (Tamara) Kerby, Heather Janor, Josh (Callie) Janor, Ricky Kovatch and Jackie Kovatch, great-grandchildren Angeline, Daniel, Patrick and Bryan and extended family and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Barbara Kovatch who died in 2010.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 11 A.M. on Friday, October 2, 2015 at Heitger Funeral Home - Massillon Chapel.

Funeral service will follow the visitation and begin at 11 A.M. at the funeral home.  Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Salvation Army, 315 - 6th Street N.E., Massillon, Ohio  44646.

Please leave words of condolences here at this site.

Heitger Funeral Home - Massillon Chapel   330-833-3248