Stephen Alan Novak
May 11, 1949 ~ December 18, 2019
Stephen Alan Novak, loving father and husband of 50 years, died in his home at the age of 70. He had been serving as an elder for the Glasgow Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He had been described as an “empathetic and compassionate elder”.
He was born in 1949 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as the son of the late William and Gertrude Gerbing Novak. As a child, he learned good work ethics, and carried that throughout his life as a good provider for his family. Despite a busy life, he always made time for weekly Bible study with his family, as well as finding opportunities to take his family out on regular vacations, to share his joy of traveling with them.
He always loved his family and from a young age, developed a love for his Creator. He was convinced of the Bible’s hope of a future resurrection to living forever on a paradise earth. In support of his faith, in the 1970’s, he endured imprisonment for conscientious objection, and up until his death, he regularly comforted others in his community with the Bible-based truths he loved.
He is survived by his wife Shirley Ann Matson Novak, his four children: Lynn Marie Collins, Lisa Ann Ehlers, Stephen Carl Novak and Seth Cory Novak, his three grandchildren: Caleb Collins, Luke Collins, and Brandon Ehlers, his sons-in-law, Keith Collins, Brian Ehlers, and his daughter-in-law, Lyrian Novak. He is preceded in death by one grandchild, Sara Rose Ehlers, and one sister, Sharon Novak.
There will be a memorial service on Monday, December 23, 2019 at 2:00 pm at the Glasgow Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, with a visitation for family and friends between 1:00 and 2:00 pm. Hatcher & Saddler Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
He will be sincerely missed, but we look forward to the time when we can greet him “in the resurrection on the last day (John 11:24).”
