John Covlasky

John Covlasky, 91, went home to be with the Lord Feb. 2, 2015, of congestive heart failure at the Mat-Su Regional Hospital. A committal ceremony with military honors will be held at 1:30 p.m., June 10, at Fort Richardson National Cemetery, with Rev. Milton Michener officiating. Attendees are requested to arrive at the cemetery by 1 p.m.

John was born Dec. 4, 1923, in Muskegon, Michigan. On Nov. 17, 1942, John enlisted with the U.S. Marines. He participated in action at Guam, Marianas Island, Okinawa, and Ryukyu Island. John prayed to God that if the Lord would keep him alive through the war, he would serve him. He was wounded in action on June 9, 1945, and received a Purple Heart. A Good Conduct medal was awarded to John on Nov. 16, 1945. God protected John through the war and he was honorably discharged on Jan. 3, 1946.

John moved to Alaska in 1948. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Southwestern Bible Institute in Waxahachie, Texas. John married Lois on May 31, 1952. He lived in Anchorage from 1953-1956; Fort Yukon from 1956-1960; Fairbanks from 1960-61; Kotlik from 1961-62; St. Michael from 1962-66; Whitehall, Mich., from 1966-67; Kotlik from 1967-68; Alakanuk from 1969-80; Sheldon Point from 1980-83; and in Wasilla since 1983.

John and Lois faithfully ministered to everyone they encountered in whatever village they were in. John and Lois joined the prison ministry in Wasilla. From Wasilla, John traveled to the Lower Yukon area in the summers for Vacation Bible School until Lois’s death in 1997.

At the Wasilla Senior Center, John renewed an old friendship with Ramona Foster. On March 8, 2000, John and Ramona were married. Ramona joined John in prison ministry for 10 more years. They traveled to the Lower Yukon area twice. He and Ramona were faithful to God’s work and God’s people.

John was diagnosed with congestive heart failure in December 2013. Ramona became John’s faithful caregiver, staying by his side until the end. John will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Ramona Covlasky; sons, Philip and Andrew Covlasky; step-sons, Billy and Gary Foster; numerous step-grandchildren; step-great grandchildren; nieces, nephews; and many brothers, sisters, and children in Christ who know Jesus because of John Covlasky’s faithfulness to the Lord.

Arrangements were cared for by Valley Funeral Home.