Ernest William Novack, Jr.

Ernest William Novack Jr., 84, of Noblesville, passed away on Monday, December 29, 2014 at his home. He was born on January 1, 1930 to Ernest and Clara (Hill) Novack in Decatur, Illinois. His parents preceded him in death.
Ernie graduated from Decatur High School in 1947 and Millikin University in 1957 with a B.A. degree in Business Administration. After graduation from high school, Ernie played four seasons of minor league baseball in the Chicago Cubs organization. His baseball career was interrupted when he was drafted into the United States Army and served 21 months during the Korean conflict. Ernie was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, the Purple Heart with one Oak Leaf, the Korean Service Medal with three bronze stars, the United Nations Ribbon, and the American Spirit Medal.
Upon graduation from Millikin University, he was hired by the Kroger Co. and continued to be employed there for the next 38 years in both the Retail and Manufacturing Divisions. Ernie had responsibilities in personnel and labor relations in the Peoria retail division and was personnel and labor relations manager for the Cleveland bakery and the baked foods division in Cincinnati. He was manager of the Memphis bakery and the Indianapolis bakery. Ernie was manager of Human Resources for the Central Marketing area when he retired in 1994.
Ernie loved to read, take pictures, and had a great sense of humor. He was a proud, but humble man, a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Ernie was most proud that he had served his country with honor and raised his children to know the Lord Jesus. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church where he served as a Sunday school teacher, usher, and elder, and sang bass in the church choir.
Ernie is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Kathryn Novack; six children, David (Tina) Novack of Marietta, GA, Douglas (Angela) Novack of Denver, CO, Elaine (Michael) Stewart of Fort Wayne, IN, Elizabeth (Tracy) Brown of Lafayette, IN, Daniel (Jennifer) Novack of Fishers, IN, and Evelyn (Joseph) McDonald of Brownsburg, IN; 15 grandchildren, Tiffany, Amber, Alex, Emily, Mollie, Rachel, Jared, Nathan, Sam, Aubrey, Joshua, Sarah, Cianna, Mallory & Lauren; and sister, Twylah Atwood of Saint Louis, MO.
Services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 3, 2015, at Christ Lutheran Church, 10055 East 186th Street, in Noblesville, with Rev. Adrian Piazza officiating. Visitation will be Friday, January 2, 2015 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Randall & Roberts Funeral Home, 1150 Logan Street, Noblesville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christ Lutheran Church; Riverview Health Foundation; American Heart Association; American Cancer Society; or Millikan University.