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September 24
Russell Thomas Kovall

September 15, 2008

Russell Thomas Kovall, 85, of Clarks Summit, died Monday, Sept. 15, in Tyler Memorial Hospital, Tunkhannock. His former wife is the former Thelma M. Pappas.

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Born Nov. 30, 1922, in Atlasburgh, son of the late Andrew and Mary Zak Kovall, he lived in Glenburn since 1974 and previously lived in Nicholson. He was educated in the Isaballa School District. He served his country in the Navy during World War II. Before retirement, he worked as a carpenter and was a member of Local Carpenters Union 267. He was a member of VFW Abington Memorial Post 7069. A true craftsman and carpenter, he was admired for his projects and for the time he spent teaching others the craft. An avid gardener, he enjoyed canning and cooking, sharing his bountiful foods with others. He instilled the value of education in younger people and to those who knew him, his famous saying was, “it’s a wonderful life.”

Also surviving are a daughter, Kathryn R. Savo, Tunkhannock; two brothers, Andrew and Theodore Kovall; two grandsons, Gregory Paone, Tunkhannock; and Joseph Savo, Clarks Summit; a granddaughter, Julianne T. Liddle, Coraopolis; a great-granddaughter, Kirena Liddle and two great grandsons, Ryan and Dominic Paone.

He was also preceded in death by son, Thomas R. Kovall; a grandson, Thomas R. Kovall II; and five sisters, Mary, Stella, Josephine, Mildred, and Helen. A memorial service was held in the Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc., 111 Colburn Ave., Clarks Summit. Memorial contributions may be made to a scholarship fund honoring his son, the Thomas R. Kovall Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Penn Security Bank and Trust Co., 1100 Northern Blvd., Clarks Summit, PA 18411. For more information, directions, or to send an online condolence, visit www.jenningscalvey.com.