Joseph W. Novak, Died April 16, 2019

Joseph W. Novak

Died April 16, 2019

Cedar – Joseph Walter Novak, 88, of Cedar, passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at French Manor South Assisted Living.

Joseph was born on May 6, 1930 in Cedar, the son of Walter and Pelagia (Mikowski) Novak.  On May 15, 1954 at St. Monica’s Church in Detroit, he married Jean Margaret Joback, who preceded him in death on April 7, 2017.

As a young boy, Joe being the oldest of 4 boys, had a lot of responsibilities working on the farm.  He would milk the cows every day before going off to school.  During the winter months, he would stay with his grandmother (at the farm just east of Holy Rosary Church), because it was close for him to walk to school.  Joe attended O’Brien and Holy Rosary Schools, graduating in 1948.

After graduating high school, Joe moved to the Ubly, MI area and stayed with an aunt and uncle who resided there, to find employment, as there were limited job opportunities in the Cedar area.  During this time Joe worked at Budd Wheel (a wheel manufacturing factory), until he was laid-off in the spring.  He then moved back home to help on the family farm.

When the farming was completed for the season, Joe again sought employment, this time moving down to the Detroit area residing with another uncle.  This uncle worked for a man by the name of Romeo Kriebich, and Joe began work as a mason tender with this company.

While he was at his uncle’s home in Detroit he met his wife, Jean Joback around 1950.  Jean and a friend used to walk past his uncle’s house and they would exchange a “hello” when Joe and his uncle’s family would be sitting on the front porch, playing cards and talking.

A short time later Joe was drafted into the Army.  He served from January 1952 to January 1954 during the Korean War.  He completed his basic training in Fort Ord, California.  He was then stationed in Austria for about 18 months.  During his time in Austria he would frequently travel to Germany on the weekends.

Joe was discharged from the Army and returned home to the Cedar area.  Approximately 3 months later, he returned to the Detroit area and rekindled his friendship with Jean.  They were married on May 15, 1954 at St. Monica’s Church on the west side of Detroit.

After Joe’s release from the military, he returned to work with Romeo Kriebich and continued to work for him until Mr. Kriebich’s retirement.  After Mr. Kriebich’s retirement, Joe worked for Mr. Kriebich’s son-in-law, Roy Hoeft and his wife Berniece, who took over Romeo’s business.  Joe worked another 2 years for Mr. Hoeft and then became self-employed as a mason contractor.

Joe continued working doing house veneering (stonework, brick & stone laying) until the time of his retirement around 2009.  His last large mason contracting job was in 2006; this was the last time Joe employed a work crew.  He continued to do smaller jobs by himself before finally retiring.  He was very proud of his masonry accomplishments and enjoyed his work.

Upon his final retirement, Joe and his wife traveled and purchased a retirement “get-a-way” home in Alanson, Michigan.  After his wife passed away on April 7, 2017, Joe moved back to the Cedar area on August 16, 2018 residing in a little house, just north of Holy Rosary Church.  He was so grateful to be living back in the Cedar area where he enjoyed watching the deer and turkeys roam the hillside and back yard and listening to Polka music.

Joseph is survived by his son, Carl Novak; his brothers, Adolph (Arlene) Novak and Edward Novak; and many loving nieces and nephews.

In addition to his loving wife of 62 years, Joseph was preceded in death by his son, Kevin Novak, in 2012; his parents, and his brother, Lawrence Novak.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24 with the Rosary to be prayed at 7 p.m. at the Holy Rosary Parish of Isadore.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 25 also at the church with the family greeting friends at 10 a.m.  Burial in Mt. Calvary Cemetery will follow.  Father Donald Libby will serve as celebrant.

Memorials may be directed to Holy Rosary Church, 6982 S. Schomberg Road, Cedar, MI 49621 and/or Cedar Fire & Rescue, PO Box 74 Cedar, MI 49621.

Condolences and memories may be shared with Joseph’s family below or at our funeral home Facebook page: