Obituary: Shirley Koviak, 89, of Fountain

Shirley Koviak, 89, of Fountain, passed away on Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at Munson Hospital in Traverse City. She was born March 22, 1935, in Fountain, daughter of Charles and Ada (Goff) Williams.  Shirley attended and graduated from Free Soil High School and was married to Ernest Koviak on August 14, 1954, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Custer.

Shirley owned and operated the Fountain Tavern – Arrowhead Inn in Fountain for 27 years with her husband Ernie, and worked at Andrulis Cheese Factory, Jackie’s Restaurant, and Orchard Market.  Shirley enjoyed family gatherings, cooking, puzzles, reading, slot machines, and traveling.

Shirley is survived by her children: Denice (Tom) Leonard, Victoria Radtke, Linda (Mike) Sagers, Julie (Ricky) Garman, Robert (Dawn Paluck) Koviak; grandchildren, Becky Adkins, Thomas (Kristi) Leonard, Nichole Koviak Foster, Michelle Argue, Brad Radtke, Carla (Vern) Welch, Sam (Hope) Sagers, Layla, John, and Jennifer Sagers, William and April Hedge, Levi Garman, Robert (Jennifer) and Dylan Koviak, Justin (Kylie) Ebner, Brittany and Jared (Bree) Lauber; great-grandchildren, Brandon and Daniel Adkins, Logan Leonard, Gabby Foster, Colton Argue, Aiden Kolenda, Gabriel and Roland Sagers, Kathryn Hedge, Benjamin Lauber Snider, Justice Ebner, Jackson Vaillancourt, Murphie Koviak, and Oliver Lauber; sister, Dorothy Manley, brother, Clifford (Stella) Williams.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ernest; companion, Sonny Fend; parents Charles (Ada) Williams; brother, Charles (Helen) Williams; sister, Lois (Norman) Stewart; brothers-in-law, Thomas (Rela) Koviak and Bill Manley.

Her life will be celebrated on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at noon at Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, with visitation starting at 10:30 a.m. Shirley will be laid to rest at St. Mary’s-Riverside Cemetery in Custer Township at a later date.

Memorial contributions in memory of Shirley may be directed to the Free Soil Senior Center.

Arrangements were entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.OakGroveLudington.com.