Virginia Claypool Pechan Kovatch, 92, of 111 W. Rockenstein Ave. died Saturday at Sunnyview Nursing Home.

Born Aug. 28, 1912, in North Buffalo Township, Armstrong County, she was the daughter of Merle and Iva King Claypool.

She was a former member of St. Mary Roman Catholic Church of Ford City.

Along with her first husband, Louis J. Pechan, she owned and operated Pechan's Bakery in Ford City and Kittanning for 38 years before closing in 1970. She enjoyed boating on the Allegheny River.

Surviving are her second husband, Steve Kovatch; a stepson, Paul Kovatch and his wife, Rosie, of California; a stepdaughter, Janet Kunkel and her husband, Gregory, of Gibsonia; a daughter-in-law, Violet Pechan of Kittanning; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; and four step-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, who died Nov. 12, 1971; a son, James E. Pechan, who died April 2, 1995; a sister, Evelyn Bracken; and grandson, James Paul Pechan.

KOVATCH - Friends of Virginia Claypool Pechan Kovatch, who died Saturday, March 12, 2005, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at WELCH FUNERAL HOME, 1032 Fourth Ave., Ford City. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Christ Prince of Peace Church with the Rev. Edward Lewis officiating. Burial will follow at Holy Trinity Cemetery, Manor Township, Armstrong County.A parish wake service will be held at 8:45 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.Online condolences and information are available at www.welchfh.com.