Arthur Novak, 89

Arthur Novak, 89, died peacefully on Tuesday, July 12, 2011, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell.

He was born on Sept. 7, 1921, in Chicago. He grew up in the neighborhoods of Berwyn and Cicero. His parents were of Czech descent and he attended Czech schools and graduated from Morton High School in 1938.

Art was an avid musician and won many awards. He was a world class saxophone player and went on to play with the top stars of the Big Band Era.

In 1940 he met his sweetheart, Irene Sherry. They were married in 1942, and were married for 65 years until Irene's death in 2007.

At the onset of World War II, Art enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps Division. He was honorably discharged and bought his first house in Westchester, Ill. Art and Irene moved about the Chicago suburbs and settled in Barrington, Ill., where they lived for 25 years.

Art and Irene enjoyed traveling in their Airstream trailer all across the country.

Art had been an engraver by trade for all of his working life. In 1981, Art retired and moved with Irene to Lakeside, where they resided until 2007 when they moved to Kalispell.

Art enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing, loved his dogs, was a great cook, avid reader and was a loving husband and father. In later years he loved tinkering with his computer and surfing the Internet.

Art was a fourth degree knight with the Knights of Columbus and also a licensed real estate broker.

Art was preceded in death by his wife, Irene; his mother and father, Frank and Marie; and his sister, Georgia.

He is survived by sons, Russell of Kalispell, and Mark of Issaquah, Wash.; and a brother, Dr. Frank Novak, of Downers Grove, Ill. He also leaves behind his beloved yellow lab Mollie. He had six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. 

Interment and a private service will be held at the Grand Mausoleum in Hillside, Ill., on Saturday, July 23.

The family suggests that any memorial contributions be sent to the Humane Society of the Northwest, P.O. Box 221, Kalispell, MT 59903; or to the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, 371 E. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown, N.Y. 11787-2976.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Art's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Art's guest book.