Michael Dean Kovacik

Age 80, of Minerva, passed away Saturday, October 24, 2026 in the Aultman Compassionate Care Center. He was born June 12, 1946 in Hopedale to Mike and Emoline (Mazeroski) Kovacik. He worked at Babcock and Wilcox for 34 years and was a foreman for 22 years. He loved God and Family and Life. He also loved his Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Browns. He loved going to Canada fishing with his wife, Gloria, and boys and also liked a good beer and feeding the squirrels in the backyard, or just an easy day out fishing, hunting or shooting trap. He graduated in 1965 from Malvern High School. He was voted the Kiwana’s Man of the Year. He was a member of the Malvern American Legion Aux. and the Minerva VFW Aux.

He is survived by his wife, Gloria (Tallman) Kovacik whom he married January 13, 1996, daughter, Heidi (Todd) Hoffmeyer of Alliance, 3 sons, James (Renee) Kovacik of Minerva, Steve (Roberta) Kovacik of Parma, Curt (Shannon) Gehret of Utah, former daughter-n-law, Mickell Gehret, brother, Gary Kovacik of Malvern, lovingly known as pappy to his 8 grandchildren; Katelyn (Ryan) Palfy, Matthew (Alaina) Hoffmeyer, Andrew (Lindsey) Hoffmeyer, Travis Hoffmeyer, Kaylee (Jared) Harwood, Alyson Gehret, Jason Michael Gehret and Torryn Gehret and 5 great grandchildren; Charlotte Palfy, Kasen Palfy, Landrey Hoffmeyer, Henry Harwood and Diane (Annie) Harwood.

Funeral services will be Friday, Oct. 30, 2026 at 11:00 am in the Gotschall-Hutchison Funeral Home with Fr. Victor Cinson officiating. Burial will be in Bethlehem Cemetery. Calling hours will be Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026 from 6-8 pm at the funeral home. The family requests that you wear your Ohio State gear to the services to honor Mike. The family is deeply thankful for the compassionate care Mike and his loved ones received from the Aultman Hospice and Compassionate Care Center. In his memory, they invite you to consider a donation to support the meaningful work this organization and its staff provides at https://aultman.org/home/services/support-services/hospicepallative-care/donate-to-aultman-hospice/#/. Those wishing to send condolences may sign the online register at www.gotschallfuneralhome.com.