It is with great sadness that we post this obituary. Our best to Mike Kovach and his family.
MSgt Shawn Michael Kovach, 34, died Wednesday, February 3 at his home in Harrisburg after an illness. Kovach served in the U.S. Air Force from 1993 – 1999 and has been a member of the Air National Guard 193rd Special Operations Wing, Middletown, PA, from 1999 to-date. Most recently, he served as a Loadmaster Instructor. Kovach was a decorated veteran, having been deployed in Haiti, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, England, and elsewhere worldwide.
A 1993 graduate of Central Dauphin East High School and a 2003 graduate of the Pennsylvania State University, Kovach’s military achievements included: Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters; Aerial Achievement Medal; Joint Meritorious Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with valor device with three oak leaf clusters; the Combat Readiness Medal; Air Force Good Conduct Medal with two oak leaf clusters; Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal; the National Defense Service Medal with one service star; Kosovo Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Armed Forces Service Medal with one service star; Humanitarian Service Medal with two service stars; Air Force Longevity Service with one oak leaf cluster; Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one “M” device; Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one service star; Air Force Training Ribbon; and NATO Medal.
He is survived by his wife, Lori Rissmiller Kovach; his father and his wife, SMSgt Michael S. and Kristie L. Kovach of Grantville; his mother, Sandra K. Witmer of Harrisburg; his paternal grandparents, Edward and Rose Kovach of Harrisburg; maternal grandparents Donald and Arlene Witmer of Harrisburg; brothers Michael S. Kovach, Jr. and Kurtis B. Kovach; sisters Stephanie Bilonick and her husband Timothy; Michelle French, Kaitlynn Kovach; his father-in-law and his wife, Barry and Carla Rissmiller of Elizabethtown; his mother-in-law, Teresa Rissmiller of Elizabethtown; his sister-in-law, Jami Zimmerman and husband, Mark; and his grandparents through marriage, Ralph and Virginia Rissmiller of Elizabethtown, and Robert and Kathryn Bowers, deceased; many aunts, uncles, and cousins who dearly loved, respected, and adored him. Most important to Shawn were his wife and family, duty and country.
Kovach will be buried with full military honors at the National Cemetery at Fort Indiantown Gap on Monday, February 8. Services will be held at the Gap’s Building 880 and will include: viewing/visitation from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; service from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.; and interment at 2:00 p.m.
Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home, Inc., 114 West Main Street, Hummelstown, is handling the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Kovach’s honor to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, P.O. Box 13483, Tampa, FL 33681-3483, or at www.specialops.org.
Online condolences may be shared at www.trefzandbowser.com
My name is Sandra Witmer and I am Shawn’s Mother.
It’s been a year now since Shawn’s passing and so many of his comrades continue to pour out their hearts as he touched so many different lives in so many different ways. As his mother, I could never be more proud of the son he was and the man that he became in only 34 years of life.
I want to take this opportunity to say “Thank you”, to all of you who became his second family. He loved you as I know you loved him.
God Bless all who read this and Thank You for your service to our Country!