Edward John Ovca, 95, died on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, in Springfield, surrounded by his family after a brief battle with illness.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, Nov. 14, at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church of Nokomis. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will take place at Nokomis Cemetery. Stiehl Dawson Funeral Home of Nokomis is assisting the family.
Mr. Ovca was born on Aug. 17, 1930, in Nokomis, to John and Mary Ovca. From the start, he was drawn to the people and stories tucked inside his community. By age 11, he had found his place at the Free Press Progress—starting as a floor sweeper and working his way up to the press room.
Not long after graduating from Nokomis High School in 1947, Mr. Ovca embarked on two new journeys: studying offset lithography at Rankin Trade School in St. Louis, MO and marrying the love of his life, Eleanor Schneider, in 1949.
For 75 years, the couple was inseparable. They traveled extensively through Europe, including Italy, Germany, France and Austria. They toured Egypt, Russia and all of the United States. At home, they enjoyed listening to St. Louis Cardinals games on the radio, sharing sandwiches and besting their children in family card games.
In 1953, Mr. Ovca purchased the Free Press Progress in partnership with Irene Vandever. He was named publisher and editor of the paper, a position he held for the next 30 years until he sold the business and retired to spend more time with his family. In journalism, there’s a common principle to leave no stone unturned. For Mr. Ovca, it was more than a good rule of thumb. It was a way of life for 95 remarkable years.
Throughout his career, he was invested in improving the community. For Mr. Ovca, serving on the Nokomis Chamber of Commerce, City Council and School Board was a way of giving back. He was a dedicated Rotarian with membership for over 40 years.
Outside of work, Mr. Ovca was an avid fisherman. Known to many as “Captain Ed,” he was a member at Sportsman’s Lake for many years and held a Shelbyville Lake record for muskie. His catch is proudly displayed in his den, much to his wife’s protest.
In his 95 years, Mr. Ovca made an immeasurable impact on his community and those around him. He will be remembered for his civic involvement, patience, wisdom and dedication to his family.
Mr. Ovca is survived by his wife of 75 years, Eleanor (Schneider); children, Edward Jr. (Patricia) of Taylorville, Michael of Taylorville, Eric of Nokomis and Kathy (Kevin) DeWerff of Bloomington; grandchildren, Michael (Sarah) Ovca and Lauren (Ryan) Kinports, Marie (Dan) Neville, Joseph (Ashley) DeWerff and John (Alexis) DeWerff; and great-grandchild, Rosie Marie Neville.
Memorials can be made to the Nokomis United Methodist Church or St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Condolences may be left online at www.stiehldawsonfh.com.
