Arlene P. Kovach, 79, of Troy, Ill., born Feb. 16, 1930, in Costello, Pa., died Monday, Feb. 23, 2009, at her home.

Mrs. Kovach was a homemaker. She was a member of St. Jerome's Catholic Church, St. Ann's Sodality, Jarvis Township Seniors and the 50 Plus Club. Arlene will be remembered for her kind smile and giving and caring heart. She loved to travel, play bingo and was an avid Cardinals fan.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Stephen Kovach whom she married on Sept. 27, 1952, in Rome, N.Y., and who died Aug. 3, 1994; and her parents, Edward A. and Cecelia M., nee Chase, Pekarski.

Surviving are her sons, Stephen (Kathy) Kovach of St. Louis, Mo., and Edward (Christine) Kovach of Maryville, Ill.; her daughters, Nancy (Thomas) Koester of Jefferson City, Mo., and Cheryl Patterson of Kansas City, Kan.; a brother, James (Maureen) Pekarski of Rome, N.Y.; grandchildren, Laura (Michael) Vaught, Tommy and Teddy Koester, Lorena and Ryan Patterson, and Jamie, Christopher, Matthew, Joshua and Jonathan Kovach; and two great-grandchildren, Olivia and William Vaught.

Memorials may be made to St. Jerome's Church Choir or American Heart Association.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009, at St. Jerome's Catholic Church, 511 South Main St., Troy, Ill.

Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009, at St. Jerome's Catholic Church, Troy, Ill., with Msgr. Virgil Mank, Father Dean Probst and Father Steve Janoski officiating. Burial will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Mo.