Edward Joseph Kovacik

RACINE- Edward J. Kovacik II, 92, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Saturday, June 25, 2011.

He was born in Racine on April 13, 1919, the son of the late Edward and Josephine (nee: Mithalec) Kovacik. He was a Racine resident for most of his life. On July 10, 1943, he was united in marriage to Beverly V. Otto at St. Casmir Catholic Church.  They were married for 63 years.  Beverly preceded him in death in 2005.

Ed was a decorated veteran of World War II.  He served as a staff sergeant in the United States Army Signal Corps. He participated in the European Theater of Operations and was awarded 5 Battle Stars as well as 2 Bronze Stars. Following the war, he returned to Racine where he founded Racine Roofing Company.  He later merged his company with Carlson Roofing to form Carlson Racine Roofing. Ed was a man of many interests and talents. He was a member of the Racine Racing Pigeon Club, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a proud fourth degree Knight of Columbus. Ed enjoyed traveling and spending time with family at his cottage in Montello where he spent much time fishing and hunting. He also was an avid bowler and loved to work in his vegetable garden.

He is survived by his seven children and their spouses, Sandra Thielen, Edward 'Butch' (Sheri) Kovacik, Dean (Peggi) Kovacik, all of Racine, Colleen (Michael) Gaynor of Oak Creek, Jay (Mary) Kovacik of Camp Douglas, Jeffrey (Barbara) Kovacik, and Kurt (Patti) Kovacik both of Racine; 15 grandchildren, Michael and Mark Thielen, Julie Moore, Scott, Brett, and Cory Kovacik, Sean, Pat, and Michael Gaynor, Alicia, Brandon, and Christopher Kovacik, Maria Haas, Olivia Schellinger, and Solomon Powell; 25 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Yvonne Spino; nephews, Robert Stanton of Racine, Ron Resar of Las Vegas, Greg Spino of Milwaukee; niece, Lynn Valentine of Kenosha; and many other nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, Edward was preceded in death by his sisters, Josephine Stanton and Lillian (George) Resar; sisters-in-law, Dorothy (Warner) Landeau and Lorraine Gevers; and brother-in-law, Tony Spino.

Family and friends are invited to meet at St. Lucy's Catholic Church (3101 Drexel Avenue) on Friday, July 1, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. for the celebration of his funeral mass with Reverend Mark R. Jones officiating. There will be a visitation at the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Thursday evening from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., and also Friday morning at the church beginning at 10 a.m. Internment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Caledonia immediately following the service.

The Kovacik family extends our heartfelt gratitude to Ed's caregivers, Rick Heintz and John Clark, and to the staff of Wheaton Franciscan Hospice for their kindness, dedication, and the compassionate care they provided to our dad.