Frank "Rusty" Novak, 85, of Kilmichael passed away at Tyler Holmes Memorial Hospital in Winona on Sunday, April 15, 2018.
He had been a resident of Winona Manor for rehabilitation following surgery at UMMC in Jackson. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 20, in the Oliver Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed in Poplar Springs Baptist Church Cemetery near Poplar Creek. Rev. Randy Bridges officiated the services. There was a visitation for one hour before the service.
Rusty was born on February 15, 1933, in Crucible, Penn., to William Michael and Mary Ann Calabris Novak. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Crucible. After he graduated from high school at Cumberland Township High School, he joined the Air Force, and was sent to Travis Air Force Base near Fairfield, California, where he served nine years, all stateside. Following his time in the service, he worked for the Nut Tree Restaurant, the Nut Tree Patio, and the Nut Tree Gift Shop for nine years and became one of three managers. It was there that Rusty met a new employee from Poplar Creek, Agatha Herring Holtz. He was one of her bosses for two years. They became friends and many years later, they were married on November 4, 1983. In December of 1983, they moved to Poplar Creek to be near Agatha's mother.
Rusty was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Bill and Richard Novak; and one sister Betty Stypula. He is survived by his wife, of 34 years, Agatha Herring Novak; two daughters, Mary Ann (Bill) Cross of Vacaville, Calif., and Lisa (Gary) Pino of Fairfield, Calif.; two sons, Alan (Donna) Novak and Steve (Alisa) Novak, both of Vacaville, Calif.; four grandchildren, Macey Cross of Vacaville, Calif., Deanna Pino and Thomas Pino of Fairfield, Calif., and Lyndsay Novak of Vacaville, Calif.; two brothers, Bob Novak of Cleveland, Ohio, and Tom Novak of Crucible, Penn.; and many nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Hugh King, Charles Lee King, Clark Rogers, Gary Alldread, Charles Fondren, and Ronnie Lee Montague.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Poplar Springs Baptist Church Cemetery, in care of Sue Stidham, 406 Jones St., Winona,
MS 38967.
An online guestbook is available at www.ofhwinona.com.
