Wilma 'Jean' Govero

FESTUS, Mo. -- Wilma "Jean" Govero, 89, of Festus passed away Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020, at her home.

Mrs. Govero was a homemaker and wonderful mother of nine children; and longtime member of Our Lady Catholic Church in Festus.

She was born April 7, 1931, in Herculaneum, Missouri, 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; children, Terry Govero of Imperial, Missouri, Debbie Pope of Bonne Terre, Missouri, Kevin (Debbe) Govero of Cape Girardeau, Randy (Cecilia) Govero of Festus, Keith (Debi) Govero of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, Barry (Patty) Govero of Ste. Genevieve, Angie (Jim) Baldwin of Festus and Tim (Patti) Govero of Farmington, Missouri; 37 grandchildren; and 62 great-grandchildren, with two on the way.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Darla Renee Govero; sisters, Maylo Marie (the late Percy) Abernathy, Gertrude (the late Elmer) Clifton, Theresa (the late John) Knobloch and Jewell (the late Ervel "John") Bittick; brothers, George (the late Dorothy) Cox and Cletus (the late Arlene) Cox; a son-in-law Paul Pope; and a granddaughter's husband, Andy Gammon.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus.

Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Our Lady Church in Festus, officiated by Father Gregory Klump. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Crystal City, Missouri.

Memorials in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.