CLARA Z. “BABE” KOVARIK

Babe was born June 18, 1925, in Piney Fork, OH, daughter of the late Manuel and Bessie (DeWitt) Garcia.

After graduation from Smithfield High School, Babe attended the Steubenville Business College. She was a homemaker who in her earlier years had worked at the Hub in Steubenville.

Babe’s memberships included the Smithfield Presbyterian Church, the Smithfield Historical Society and the Friends of Smithfield.

In addition to her parents, Babe was preceded in death by husband Frank “Tin Can” Kovarik, 4-year-old son Manuel J. Kovarik, sister Betty Swain and brother Raymond “Buddy” Garcia.

Surviving are two sons, Bradley (Rebecca) Kovarik of Smithfield and Frank (Cheryl) Kovarik of Rayland, daughter Vicki (Jerry) Hancock of Delaware, OH; brother, Manuel “Butch” (Carol) Garcia of Rayland; two sisters, Ida (Jack) Newton of NC and Nina Hull of CA; 3 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Babe’s wishes were to be cremated with no services observed. She will be laid to rest alongside her husband, Tin Can, and son Manuel, in the Northern Cemetery in Smithfield. She is in the care of the J.E. Foster Funeral Home in Smithfield.

Memorial donations may be made to the Smithfield Historical Society, PO Box 32, Smithfield, OH 43948. www.jefoster fh.com