Mary Lou Kovac

Mary Lou Kovac (nee Wheeler) passed away peacefully on Friday, June 28, 2024. Mary Lou was born May 23, 1936, in West Chicago, IL at her family home on Main Street, born to Allan and Phyllis (Karwoski) Wheeler. She is preceded in death by her parents and all six siblings and their spouses: Elaine (Clyde) Shaw, Paul (Shirley) Wheeler, James, Irene (Bill) Smith, Dolores (Sam) Tippin and Lois (Louie) Hekl.

Mary Lou met the love of her life, Bob Kovac. They married September 3, 1955, and quickly began their family of seven children: Lorrie, Steve (Janet), Jim, Casey, Tim (Lori), Paul and Peter (John). She has ten grandchildren: Evan (Kelsey), Megan (Steven), Kyle (Shannon), Nikki, Katelyn (Justin), Alaynna (Stevie), Courtney (Eric), Kaila, Quentin, and Joshua. She was blessed with twelve great-grandchildren: Brayden, Mason, Gavin, Makayla, Cole, Scarlett, Sable, Olivia, Ella, Sophie, Grace and her newest Wyatt.

She thrived being a wife, mom, grandmother, great-grandmother and homemaker. She was beloved by her family and friends. Mary had a way of making strangers into friends and friends into family. She was known far and wide for her cooking and baking skills; everyone who knew her enjoyed her coffee cakes and apple slices among many other treats. 

Mary and Bob lived together in West Chicago for 45 years. They moved down the street from her family home and then as the family grew, they moved across the street to the home we consider our family home. She began working outside the home once her youngest son was in fourth grade. She began as a waitress at St Andrews Golf & Country Club and then moved to the DuPage County Clerks Office receiving the loving nickname of “Sarge” by the people in the office. She knew how to wrangle people and get things done. 

She and Bob moved to Sun City West, AZ in 2001 and quickly began making friends. Mary loved to host people who visited. She adored their new home and life in AZ! She remained in Sun City West until June of 2023 when she was diagnosed with Rapid Onset Dementia. She has been reunited in heaven with her husband of 59 years, Bob and their son, Casey. Heaven has gained an angel, and we are thankful that she is no longer suffering. She was a devout Catholic and instilled in her family her Faith.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at the Norris-Segert Funeral Home and Cremation Services, at 132 Fremont Street, West Chicago. The visitation will be held from 10am-2pm (prayer service at 1:30pm). We will continue celebrating mom immediately after the services at the American Legion Hall Post 300, 123 Main Street, West Chicago.