John passed into eternal life on April 7, 2016, while a patient in the hospice care unit at the Ft. Meade Medical Center in Sturgis, SD with his wife, son John G. and daughter Julie at his side. He was honored with a military escort when leaving the hospital.

John Novak Jr. was born on August 5, 1928, on the Novak family ranch north of Newcastle to John Sr. and Margaret (Dohrman) Novak. He was the second of four children. He grew up on the ranch learning how to drive a tractor at an early age, haul water and wood to the house and care for livestock. He also assisted his father with the operation of a logging business. John attended rural grade school and Newcastle High School. After his father died in a logging accident, John Jr. drove a school bus and assisted his mother in continuing the ranch operation, enabling the ranch to stay in the Novak family.

John Jr. was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1950 and served in the infantry during the Korean War. After his discharge in 1952, John met his future wife Veronica Dolan. They were married April 12, 1953, and enjoined 63 years together. They settled into their life in Newcastle raising their six children. John worked at various jobs and at one time shared a list with his children showing 54 jobs held since the age of 12. He worked as a truck driver for Johnston Fuel Liners for eleven years. After his first retirement, he drove the shuttle bus to the mines. After his second retirement, he and Veronica moved to the Novak ranch where he spent over 20 years as a rancher. He was a friend to everyone he met and never met a stranger. He enjoyed tinkering with his tractors and all vehicles and visiting. He especially enjoyed working outdoors at the ranch and always wished to share this time with his family and grandchildren. The ranch is a very special place thanks to Papa John.

John was preceded in death by his father, John; his mother, Margaret; his step-father Ed Miller; sisters, Joy and Joan; brother, Albert and nephew Randy.

John is survived by his wife, Veronica and his six children: Julie Gonzales of Laramie, Lise and Jim French of Michigan, John G. of Newcastle, Peggy and LeRoy Bustos of New Mexico, William and Bernadette Novak of Newcastle and South Dakota, and Eileen Jones of Wisconsin; as well as 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren and one on the way, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A rosary service will be held at 7pm on Thurs, April 14, with a funeral service to be held at the Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Newcastle, WY at 1:00pm on Friday, April 15, 2016, with a luncheon to follow. A private burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice in his name.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Roberts & Isburg Funeral Chapel of Sundance.