John Louis Kovacs

DESOTO - John Louis Kovacs, age 80, passed away on Saturday, July 25, 2026 surrounded by his loving family at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

John was born on November 23, 1945 in Cleveland, Ohio to parents Stephen Florian and Justine (Mokos) Kovacs. He was the fifth of eight children. He spent his childhood on a 20-acre farm in Avon Lake, OH, before joining the U.S. Navy in his early 20's. After the Navy, he attended school at Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois. After this he moved downstate to Carbondale, where he became employed at Southern Illinois University, first as a cook and then went on to work at the power plant for 30 years.

It was in Carbondale that he also met the love of his life, Paula Ann Boggess. They were married on June 26, 1976 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. They had six children and were married for 50 years.

John was preceded in death by his parents, his brother William Kovacs, and two grandsons: Joseph Daniel Kovacs (2001) and John LaRue Kovacs (2011).

John is survived by his wife, Paula; six children, Dorothy, Daniel (Tiffany), Paul (Michelle), Brian, Christopher, and Douglas. Four grandchildren: Jason, Zachary, Stephen, and Anthoni. Six brothers and sisters: Maryland, Stephen, Justine, Thomas, Barbara, and Michael; and many extended family members across the country.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026 from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, at Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale. Funeral Mass will be at 11:00am on Saturday, August 1st, 2026 at Newman Catholic Student Center in Carbondale with Father Michael Arockiam officiating. Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery in Carbondale with Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in John's name to the Newman Catholic Student Center.

Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale assisted the family with arrangements. To leave a story or memory of John visit www.meredithfh.com