MICHAEL KOVALYK

He was born March 8, 1951, in Martins Ferry, Ohio, son of the late Pete and Carmella Cotello Kovalyk.

Mike was baptized at St. John’s Catholic Church in Bellaire, Ohio and was a member of the Greek Orthodox Church Life Giving Fountain in Martins Ferry, Ohio, where he was christmated.

Mike was also a life member of the Ohio River Valley Elks #231.

He graduated from the great class of Bellaire High School in 1969. After high school, he attended Hocking Technical College where he obtained two Associate’s Degrees in Forestry Technology and Outdoor Recreational Wildlife Technology. He spent six years as a Park Ranger in Hocking Hills, Ohio. He returned to Bellaire and joined the Police Department in 1979. In 1989, he was promoted to Lieutenant and was Police Chief in 2005 until his retirement. After retirement, he joined the Belmont County Sheriff Office where he was a Resource Officer for the last five years at the Belmont Harrison Joint Vocational School which were his most cherished.

His proudest accomplishments were his last five cases, all convictions including two life sentences. His passion for life was family, friends, serving his community as a Law Enforcement Officer, hunting and fishing.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Robert W. Kovalyk and baby daughter, Carmella Louise Kovalyk.

Mike is survived by his wife of 32 years, Rosalie Rigas Kovalyk, children, Clara Kovalyk of St. Clairsville, Ohio, PFC. Robert Kovalyk Wheeling Police Department of Shadyside, Ohio, Michael Kovalyk of Bellaire, Ohio, sister-in-law, Charlotte Kovalyk of Bellaire, Ohio, sister and brother-in-law, Laura and John Pappas of Wheeling, West Virginia, brother-in-law, Christopher (Cedric) Rigas of St. Clairsville, Ohio.

Family and friends will be received at the Bauknecht-Altmeyer Funeral Home, 441 37th Street, Bellaire, Ohio on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, April 6, 2023 at the Greek Orthodox Church Life Giving Fountain in Martins Ferry, Ohio at 11 a.m. with Fr. Constantine Makrinos as celebrant. Interment to follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Wheeling, West Virginia.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Greek Orthodox Church Life Giving Fountain or Belmont County K-9 Unit by going to TMCFunding.com.

Please share your thoughts and memories with Mike’s family by visiting bauknecht altmeyer.com