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Lori Jean (Jelesky) Govert, 61, of Merrillville, passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at Methodist Hospital Southlake Campus. She was born on November 11, 1964, in Gary, to Richard Jelesky, who survives, and the late Elaine (Czernoch) Jelesky.
Lori is survived by her loving husband, Chris; children, Madeline (Jeff) Beason, Cassandra (Tristan Coghill) Govert, and Maxwell Govert; grandchildren, Keller, Ketcher, and Leo Beason; father, Richard (Bonnie Ricard) Jelesky; brothers, Rick (Beth) Jelesky, and Tom Jelesky; in-laws, Faye (David) Sepke, Paula (Larry) Mlynarcik, Steve (Pam) Govert, Kathy Kendera, and Ray (Debbie) Govert; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.
Lori proudly worked as a teacher for the Merrillville Community Schools from 1998 until present day and was awarded the Crossroads Chamber Inspiring Educator of the Year Award in 2023. She was a cheerleading coach for 33 years, earning a spot in the Merrillville Coaches Hall of Fame in 2019. Lori was also a devoted member of the Merrillville Education Foundation for the last 25 years.
Outside of her career, Lori was a parishioner at Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church in Merrillville since 1987.
Lori was an incredible wife, mother, and grandmother. Her creative, passionate, hardworking personality will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Whenever asked what was most important to remember in life, Lori always said to live with “No Regrets.”
Lori’s final act of kindness was sharing the gift of life through tissue donation with Gift of Hope.
Services for Lori will begin on Friday, August 28, 2026, at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, 7535 Taft Street, Merrillville, IN 46410, with visitation from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM. On Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs South Campus (formerly Our Lady of Consolation), 8303 Taft Street, Merrillville, IN 46410, a Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 AM. Fr. Ted Mauch will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in Lori’s memory to the Merrillville Education Foundation. Donations can be mailed to PO Box 14475, Merrillville, IN 46410, or submitted online at merrillvilleeducationfoundation.org.
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We are 😔 to here about this we will miss her we will all ways remember her
I felt very special and honored that Lori and Chris trusted me to be Maddie’s godmother. I looked forward to Maddie’s birthday parties because Lori made them extra special.
Also, Lori smuggled in many cans of silly string to Tony and my wedding and everyone sprayed us as they formed a circle around us dancing. It was unexpected and so fun!!
Will miss you greatly, Lori!
My deepest sympathy to Chris, Maddie, Cassie and Max and the entire Govert/Jelesky families on Lori’s passing. I am so profoundly grateful to have called them friends (and really more like family) for the last 40+ years. So many moments (big and small) shared that I will cherish forever. Chris and Lori is as synonymous as Salt & Pepper (no, not the rappers), Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field and Leo Govert and Budweiser. Things that undeniably belonged together. While Lori’s “earthly” self now departs us, my prayer is that her spirit live on thru Chris, her children and grandchildren as they continue and develop family traditions to honor her memory. To Chris especially….you have had my back plenty over the years and I just want you to know Buddy that I’ve got you this time. God rest her soul.