She was born June 28, 1929 in Cumberland Twp., Greene County, a daughter of the late Attilio and Albertina Campani Bertugli.
Esther was a 1947 graduate of Jefferson High School.
She worked for the Department of Public Welfare in Waynesburg as the clerical supervisor for 33 years and was recognized as Supervisor of the Year by the State of Pennsylvania.
She was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Church in Rices Landing, now the St. Matthias Parish and she had taught CCD and RCIA classes, visited shut-ins, worked the St. Ann’s soup kitchen and recognized for her service by the Catholic Church. She was a founding board member and volunteer for Hospice Care, Inc., the initial hospice care in Greene County and she volunteered at the former Greene County Memorial Hospital.
On October 11, 1947 she married Victor Kovach, who died October 21, 2014.
Surviving are a daughter, Virginia (Raymond) Montibeller of Rices Landing; two sons, Victor (Pam) Kovach of Santa Fe, NM and Mark (Monique) Kovach of Fredericksburg, VA; 11 grandchildren, Michael Montibeller, Dr. Joseph (Lori) Montibeller, David (Sarah) Montibeller, Dr. Ryan Kovach, Devin Kovach, Marissa Kovach, Julianna Kovach, Ashley (Matt) Glenn, Mitch (Jara) Dowd, Jessica Dowd, Allyson Czarnaski; three great grandchildren, Marcus Victor Montibeller, Luca James Montibeller, and Emma Dowd; a sister-in-law, Donna Kovach of Jefferson.
Deceased is a brother, Remo E. Bertugli; and three sisters, Anita Dukate, Erma Mosier, and Eola Trumka.
The family would like to thank the Presbyterian Senior Care @ Woodside Place and Gateway Hospice for the care they gave their mother.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, December 28, 2020 at 12 Noon in St. Marcellus RC Church of St. Matthias Parish, 1340 Jefferson Rd., Jefferson, PA 15344. The service will be live streamed through Esther’s website on the services tab of the Behm Funeral Home, Jefferson. Please be aware the live stream will only start a few minutes before 12 noon. The family suggests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Presbyterian Senior Care, Woodside Place; the Gateway Hospice or to St. Matthias Parish. Arrangements entrusted to the Behm Funeral Home, 1477 Jefferson Rd., Jefferson, PA 15344, Gregory P. Rohanna, supervisor. Condolences may be expressed online at www.behm-funeralhomes.com.
