LEWISTON – John Michael Koval III, 30, of Durham died unexpectedly Tuesday, Nov. 11.

He was born in Lewiston, on May 29, 1978, a son to Lawrence C. Koval and Mary L. Morin (Burhoe). He attended schools in Auburn, Durham, and Freeport.

He had a love of the outdoors which started at a very young age from experiences with his dad and grampy. He would grow to become an avid hunter and trapper. Whether it was taking a hike, scouting a fine hunting spot, or just napping under a tree, he was at home in the woods. Another of his passions was his work as an excavator operator building golf courses all over the state of Maine. His strive for perfection enabled him to do amazing work.

Family was so important to him. He spent a great deal of his time at his grandparent’s house being together with family and friends. He also enjoyed quiet days with his mother and two sisters, playing with his nieces and nephew, and sharing his enthusiasm for sports with his little brother.

He always had a way of making everyone who surrounded him happy. When he smiled we smiled, and his laugh … Well that too was contagious. We hold dear the memories of his fun-loving personality and his playful sarcasm. He touched so many lives in so many different ways. Each of us will take our own memories of him and keep them with us for comfort, knowing that although he was taken from us too soon, he will remain in our hearts, our thoughts, and our prayers forever.

He sadly leaves behind his father, Lawrence C. Koval of Windham; mother, Mary L. Morin and husband, Robert Morin, of Poland; sister, Amy Koval and husband, Ryan Demers, along with their children Maizy and Maddox; sister, Ashlea Edwards and her daughters, Hannah and Ella, all of Auburn; brother, Trevor Morin of Poland; his grandparents, John and Elizabeth Koval of Durham and Doris Burhoe of Auburn; stepgrandmother, Jan Burhoe of Florida; aunt, Pat Freeman and her husband, Fred; aunts, Joan, Debbie and Donna Koval; aunt, Anna Olson and her husband, Chris; aunt, Emma and her husband, Roland; uncle, Robbie and his wife, Cheryl; uncle, Art and his wife, Fawn; cousins, Joey, Marissa, Bryleigh, Taylin, Nick, Devon, Jack, Cole, Tom, Casey, Mackenzie, Paul, Sarah, Elisabeth, Allison, Justine, Michael, Chris, Brendan, Amanda, Anna-Sophia, Corey, Kyle, and Michaela; as well as countless friends.

He was predeceased by his grandfather, Herbert Burhoe; uncle, John “Mickey” Koval; aunt, Dorothy Murphy; and aunt, Barbara Koval.