Walter A. Novak's Obituary
Walter A. Novak, 96 years of Columbia, IL, passed away on October 22, 2025 at Mary Queen and Mother Skilled Nursing Care, Shrewsbury, MO. He was born May 28, 1929, in Washington County, IL.
Walter was a very active member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Columbia, IL and Knights of Columbus 6165, George R. Kutterer Council Columbia, IL. He had served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a member of Nashville, IL. High School Class of 1949 State Basketball Championship team, and was a minor league pitcher for the St. Louis Browns baseball team. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed fishing, hunting and raising pigeons in his younger years. He loved to polka dance and to socialize with his siblings and their families, as well as his wife Pat's family. Walter was a hard worker who always took care of his family and was always willing to help those in need. .
Surviving are his spouse, Patricia L. Novak; daughter, Deborah L. Novak; son, John A. Novak, sister-in-law, Martha Novak, along with numerous other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter V. and Rose, nee Piechnik, Novak; son, Walter Wayne Novak; siblings, Dominic Novak, Albert (Irene) Novak, Bernice (Roland) Schaefer, Clemens (Rose) Novak, Marie (Herman) Pries, Lorraine (Conlyn) McNamara, Rita (Chuck) Flure, Adeline Novak, and Thomas Novak.
Visitation will be Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm, at Leesman Funeral Home, Columbia, IL, and Wednesday, October 29, 2025, 10:00 am - 11:00 am, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Columbia, IL. Funeral mass will be held following visitation at 11:00 AM, at church, with Fr. Carl Sherrer officiating. Interment will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Columbia, IL.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to: St. Vincent de Paul Society of Immaculate Conception Church, 411 Palmer Road, Columbia, IL 62236 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105 or in the form of masses.. For more information, please access our website, www.leesmanfuneralhome.com. Arrangements were handled by Leesman Funeral Home.
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