John George Novak

He was born on February 22, 1940, in Berwyn, the son of John Joseph and Alice (Herda) Novak. He attended Gross Elementary School in Brookfield, Riverside-Brookfield High School in Riverside, Illinois College in Jacksonville, Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, and the Modern School of Photography.

John met Mary Smith, a student nurse, while attending Illinois College. Their friendship blossomed into a 57-year marriage. They were married in Franklin in 1961. John and Mary raised three children, David Lee (wife Lori) Novak of Springfield, Pamela Sue (husband Brian) Lively of Glenarm, and Cheryl Ann Novak of Chatham. They have four grandchildren, Madison, Pam, Mike, and John, and three great-grandchildren, Jaiden, Mary Jane, and Violet. His beloved cats, Katie and Chloe, will miss him greatly.

John worked as a photographer, draftsman, Engineer and computer systems analyst. He retired from CIPS. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Springfield, and a member of Sangamon Valley Woodcarvers. John was very fond of corny jokes, and he tormented his friends and family with them regularly. He was a passionate fan of the Chicago Bears.

His hobbies included woodworking and woodcarving. His interest in woodcarving led to John and Mary starting a business, Fur and Feathers Woodcarving. They traveled from Kansas City to the East Coast attending woodcarving shows selling tools and supplies for woodcarvers. They built a website and sold tools and supplies worldwide.

Services are under the direction of Bisch Funeral Home West, 2931 S. Koke Mill Rd., Springfield, where a memorial service will be held on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 11 am, with Rev. Roger Grimmett officiating. A memorial visitation will be held from 10 am until time of the memorial service at 11 am. Inurnment will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery Mausoleum.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the A.P.L. (Animal Protective League).