Ruby Anne Kovack

Ruby Anne Kovack, 89, of Mattoon, Illinois passed away at 7:38 AM on Monday, November 24th, 2025, at the home of her daughter and caretaker, Karamel Belleau. We express our deepest gratitude to Karamel and her husband Bill for their tender loving care. She was the wife of Robert D. Kovack. He survives and cherishes her memory. A funeral Mass in her honor will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 320 N. 21st Street, Mattoon, IL 61938. The visitation will be held from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM, Friday, November 28, 2025, at the Parish Center by the church. Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938 is in charge of services. There will be a private family interment ceremony at Oak Hill Cemetery in Taylorville, Illinois. Ruby Anne was born on October 7th, 1936, in Taylorville, Illinois to Henry and Jesse (Harmon) Moore. She was a 1955 graduate of Taylorville High School and worked as the executive secretary to both the Chairman and President of the First National Bank after high school. On August 17th, 1957, she married Robert (Bob) D. Kovack at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church. She was a wonderful mother and is survived by and forever in the hearts of her children - Kim A. Craven (Donald) of Bloomington and Florida, Kent R. Kovack (Suzette) of Highlands Ranch, CO, Karamel Belleau (Bill) of Mattoon and her grandchildren, Joseph T. Craven (fiancée Hannah Brown) and Lucy A. Kovack of Highlands Ranch, CO; her sister, Donna Depolo; and many nieces and nephews. She gave her family many precious memories. We are filled with grief at her passing, but grateful for her life. In 1967, the family moved to Mattoon. Ruby Anne was active in the community and was a member of Mattoon Golf & Country Club. She was a golfer and bridge player, enjoying playing in many bridge clubs along with her husband, Bob. She was a 60-year member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. From 1974 to 1984, she was the owner and operator of Kovack’s Flower Shop as a kiosk in the Mattoon Cross County Mall. She made many arrangements and bouquets for weddings and proms in addition to ready-made and custom floral items at her shop. Ruby Anne creativity touched everything she did in her home. In addition to flower arranging, she painted, was a green thumb gardener, and hand-made Santa Claus figures. She had many collections, including both blue and orange glass, monarch butterflies, and miniatures which she displayed in printer’s drawer shelving. She was an avid garage sale shopper and loved finding a bargain. She was also a perpetual snacker and sweet-lover who happily shared her stash! She traveled to Japan, Hong Kong, and Europe. She and Bob also took several cruises, including the Panama Canal. Ruby Anne and Bob spent more than 30 years of winters in West Palm Beach, Florida. They enjoyed many new friends and an active community there. The family is grateful for the kindness and care in recent years of both her CNA, Kayla Clark and Dr. James Hildebrandt. We would also like to acknowledge Dr. Brad Racette who came into our lives more than 25 years ago and completely changed the trajectory and quality of Ruby Anne’s life with his knowledge and expertise in treating and caring for patients with severe Parkinson’s disease. With his help she was able to live a near symptom free life with Parkinson’s. If you have a friend or loved one who suffers from this disease, always get a second or third opinion, because it is possible for them to have a good quality of life. Our wife and mother loved flowers; however, we request donations in her memory be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Mattoon, the St. Vincent DePaul Society, or the Mattoon YMCA. Please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle in her honor or share a memory with the family.

Tributes

Ruby Anne Kovack

October 7, 1936 - November 24, 2025