Pete P. Kovatich Sr.
Pete P. Kovatich Sr., 95, of Bentleyville, passed away Sunday, November 5, 2017, in Residence at Hilltop, Monongahela.
He was born June 3, 1922, in Monessen, a son of the late John and Mary Kovacic Kovatich.
Mr. Kovatich was a 1940 graduate of Monessen High School.
He was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy as a yeoman third class. He served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations and participated in the Liberation of the Philippines. He earned five battle stars and served aboard the USS Tangier, USS Currituck and USS Ancon, among several other vessels and flagships. For his service, he received numerous medals and citations, including a commendation letter from General MacArthur.
Mr. Kovatich was employed as a steelworker/pipefitter with Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel, Monessen plant, for 45 years, retiring in 1986.
He was a member of United Steel Workers of America, St. George CFU Lodge 354 and Bentleyville American Legion Post 165.
Mr. Kovatich was a lifelong member of St. Katharine Drexel Parish, Bentleyville campus.
He was an avid fast pitch softball player in his younger years, pitching several no hitters, and was inducted into Monessen Sports Hall of Fame.
On April 13, 1947, he married Angeline Yakin, who died December 20, 2005.
Surviving are a daughter, Paulette Daniels (Jim) of Chartiers Township; a son, Len Kovatich (Punky) of Bentleyville; a grandson, James Michael Daniels II (Larra) of Moon Township; a granddaughter, Dr. Renae Lynn Daniels-Simmons (Brian) of Ohio Township; four great-grandchildren, Aidan and Delaney Daniels and Brayden and Ava Simmons; and several nieces and nephews.
He was the last of his immediate family.
Deceased, in addition to his wife and parents, are a son, Pete P. Kovatich Jr., who died May 2, 2014; a brother, Albert Kovatich; and four sisters, Catherine Muzar, Ann Cavrak, Mary Kubic and Frances Plavetich.
Friends will be received from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday in Greenlee Funeral Home, 619 Main Street, Bentleyville, where a blessing service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, November, 9, with the Rev. Edward L. Yuhas as celebrant. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Carroll Township, with full graveside military rites accorded by Bentleyville American Legion Post 165 and the U.S. Navy.
A guest book and personal condolences may be accessed at www.GreenleeFuneralHome.com.