Stepan Kovalenko

Stepan Kovalenko, 77, of Sarasota, FL, passed away December 19, 2017 at his daughter's home in Sedalia. He was born on January 23, 1941 in Ukraine, USSR the son of Alexander and Fekla Kovalenko. He had a wonderful family. There were 5 siblings in all, 2 sisters- Olga and Maria as well as 2 brothers- Nikolay and Evgeniy. From a very early age, Stepan dedicated his life to serve God and people. At the age of 16 he went to college to become a construction manager. By the young age of 18 he began his ministry as a leader of the church in the city of Kirovograd. On May 10, 1964 in Ukraine, USSR he was united in marriage to Valentina Kovalenko, who survives of the home. In 1965 they moved to the city of Gaivoron where all six children were born. There he was ordained as deacon and soon after as pastor of the church. In 1984 they moved to Moldova where he continued to carry on his ministry in both church and home. As things began to change in the USSR, Stepan moved his family to America in 1991. In Kent, Washington he continued his ministry as pastor of the Good News church until the year of 2001 when he moved to Sedalia, Missouri. In 2004 he moved with his wife to Sarasota, Florida where he continued his ministry as pastor of the Good News church he established. His life was filled with service to God and people and only by the age of 76, when his health began to worsen, did he pass on his pastoral ministry to his son Viktor.

Brother Stepan was always a hard worker who strived to progress the kingdom of God. He was a faithful husband, caring father and the most loving grandfather…Many know him as their spiritual father, sincere prayer warrior, and wise pastor who, no matter the circumstance, was faithful to God in all things. A man of wisdom, he would always begin and end his conversations with blessings to all. Above all else, he was a man who held dear every second of his life. There were never any complaints from him only praise. A few hours before passing, Stepan said: “I hear choirs of angles praising and singing glory to God and I want to go and be there with them…!” He will forever be in our hearts and remembered as our hero and faithful servant of God.

Survivors: Wife, Valentina Kovalenko daughter Olga Golimbevskiy, 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Daughter Dina Kozhukharenko and son-in-law Timofey, 10 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Son Yuriy Kovalenko, Son Viktor Kovaleko and daughter-in-law Svetlana, and 3 grandchildren. Daughter Luybov Stefoglo and son-in-law Dimitry, 6 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Svetlana Gutsman and son-in-law Andrey and 5 grandchildren.

Preceded in death by his parents, Alexander and Fekla Kovalenko as well as his brothers Nikolay and Evgeniy Kovalenko and sister Olga as well as his son-in-law Pavel.

Funeral services will be held at Friday, December 22, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at Word of Life Church, Sedalia, Pastor Vladimir Dub and Peter Tsimbal officiating.

Visitation/service will be held Saturday December 23, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Word of Life.

Burial will be at Crown Hill Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Rea Funeral Chapel, Sedalia.