Wilma “Jean” Govero, 89, of Festus died Aug. 13, 2020, at her home. Mrs. Govero was a homemaker and longtime member of Our Lady Catholic Church in Festus. Born April 7, 1931, in Herculaneum, she was the daughter of the late Emma Marie (Juliette) and Leslie Lawrence Cox.
She is survived by her husband of 72 1/2 years: Fred Govero; eight children: Terry Govero of Imperial, Debbie Pope of Bonne Terre, Kevin (Debbe) Govero of Cape Girardeau, Randy (Cecilia) Govero of Festus, Keith (Debi) Govero of Ste. Genevieve, Barry (Patty) Govero of Ste. Genevieve, Angie (Jim) Baldwin of Festus and Tim (Patti) Govero of Farmington; 37 grandchildren; and 62 great-grandchildren with two on the way.
She was preceded in death by a daughter: Darla Renee Govero; four sisters: Maylo Marie (the late Percy) Abernathy, Gertrude (the late Elmer) Clifton, Theresa (the late John) Knobloch and Jewell (the late Ervel “John”) Bittick; two brothers: George (the late Dorothy) Cox and Cletus (the late Arlene) Cox; a son-in-law: Paul Pope; and a grandson-in-law: Andy Gammon.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus. Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, at Our Lady Catholic Church, 1550 St. Mary’s Lane, Festus, officiated by Father Gregory Klump. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Crystal City. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.