Josef "Seppi" Novak

KEWANEE — Josef (Seppi) Novak, 85, of Kewanee, passed away Friday, June 19, 2026, at his home.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. on Friday, June 26, 2026, at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee. A graveside service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Pleasant View Cemetery in Kewanee, where burial will take place.

Joe was born August 24, 1940, in Vienna, Austria, the son of Josef and Melanie (Graber) Novak. His father was a master carpenter from the village of Oslov, Czech Republic, who established a cabinet shop and mass-production furniture factory in Vienna. Growing up under his father's guidance, Joe began working in the family business before the age of 14, mastering the intricacies of structural cabinetry and furniture making. Joe then pursued education in electrical engineering at a regional institute in Vienna.

Drawn by a lifelong interest for the United States, Joe emigrated to the USA in September of 1960 to stay with his aunt and uncle, George and Betty Novak, in Kewanee. He proudly attained his American citizenship in 1965, a milestone he considered one of the greatest honors of his life.

For over half a century, Joe was a fixture of the Kewanee business community on Main Street. He operated and owned the Novak Travel Service and Novak Dry Cleaning. Joe’s engineering background and strong work ethic grew the business greatly and his reputation as a master of his crafts was well known. He later specialized the business into professional leather and garment restoration, serving wholesale accounts across the country until Joe's retirement and business closing in 2011.

Joe lived a vibrant, active life, always saying he lived it to the fullest. He was a man of conservative intellect and many hobbies. Most notably as an amateur ham radio operator, a keen interest in history and politics, and he advocated for a healthy lifestyle, remaining an avid daily swimmer at the YMCA well into his later years. He loved the outdoors, the sun, and the sea, spending many years boating, waterskiing, and vacationing at the Lake of the Ozarks and Rum Point in the Cayman Islands. Joe was also a lifelong animal lover who cherished the company of his cats.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Josef and Melanie Novak, and his lifelong companion and business partner, Betty Novak.

He is survived by his beloved cousin, Eva, of the Czech Republic, and his cousin's daughters, Kristyna and Helena; and a close circle of dear lifelong friends, neighbors, and former business associates in the Kewanee area.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Kewanee YMCA.

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