Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

SBT – October 16, 2000

Esther L. Kovach

March 16, 1926 - Oct. 14, 2000

Esther L. (Bachtel) Kovach, 74, of Elmwood St., Mishawaka, died at 12:17 a.m. Saturday in Memorial Hospital. Esther retired in 1986, as an admitting clerk at St. Joseph Hospital, Mishawaka, after 16 years. She was born March 16, 1926, in LaPaz, Ind. to John and Alma (Baughman) Bachtel who preceded her in death.

On June 13, 1953, in South Bend, she married Charles G. Kovach who survives along with two sons, Edward of South Bend and Christopher of Mishawaka; two grandchildren, Jeff and Lori; four sisters, Margaret Smith, Sharon Scott, and Marilyn Ayres, all of Plymouth, Ind., and Dorothy Spier of South Bend; and four brothers, Donald Bachtel and David Bachtel, both of Lakeville, Ind., Carl of Walkerton and Harold of Bremen.

Preceding her in death were two sisters, Glenna Disher and Norma Bachtel.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the HICKEY FUNERAL HOMES, 3516 E. Jefferson, South Bend, with Rev. Larry Hanson, Pastor of County Line Bretheran Church, Lakeville, Ind., officiating. Interment will follow at Southlawn Cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Hickey Funeral Home, 3516 E. Jefferson.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.