Merle Edward Novak, 75, of Calhoun died Wednesday November 16, 2005 at his residence.Services at Summers Funeral Home with Reverend Mike Baker officiating. Burial in Prior Grove Cemetery in rural Oblong with full military rites by Olney veterans organizations.

Mr. Novak was born on April 13, 1930 in Olney, the son of Eric Edward and Beulah (Nicholas) Novak. He married Evelyn Bailey on September 14, 1956 in Olney. She survives.

Mr. Novak was a retired truck driver. He was a Korean War Army veteran and a member of the American Legion.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Novak of Calhoun; two sons, Phillip Edward Novak, Olney and William Novak of Columbus, Ohio; sister, Jessie Ann Brown and her husband, Bill of Cisne; brother, Jerry Novak and his wife, Shirley of Noble; sisters, Shelby Jackson and her husband, Robert of Claremont and Mary Cunningham and her husband, Charles of Vincennes, Ind.; brother Robert Novak of Ft. Wayne, Ind.; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL)