Carol Jean Novak

May 22, 1950 - November 24, 2017

Carol J. Novak, age 67, of Dixon, Illinois passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family and friends on November 24th at 6:20 pm after a courageous battle with Glioblastoma brain cancer. Carol was a beloved wife to her husband, Ken for 39 years. She was a compassionate mother and step-mother to Michele (Chris) Podkulski, Christine (Bill) Wengelewski, Amanda (Doug) Hicks, Carissa (Kevin) Weller, and Clarence Novak. She loved spending time with and spoiling her nine grandchildren: Nicole, Megan, Brian, Ben, Liam, Austin, Abby, Lily and Andrew. She has two surviving brothers, Bill (Lisa) and Jack (Kim) Schuh. She was preceded in death by her parents William and Lorraine Schuh. In addition to her own family, she touched the lives of over 300 foster children and countless others in her career over 40 years as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She worked at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois for many years, working her way up to Executive Director of Nachusa Lutheran Home. For the past 17 years, she worked at Sinnissippi Centers as Clinical Supervisor of Child Welfare Services and Parent Support Programming. She coordinated the Youth Garden Program for at-risk youth, which was sponsored by the Garden Stock Art and Music festival. She lived for many years in Amboy where she contributed to the community by helping organize and plan the Amboy Lions Club Depot Days Parade and Draw Down. She was an avid reader (even while driving), a Titanic History Buff, a world traveler, and loved to kayak. She was an active member of the Franklin Grove Church of the Brethren, serving on the board and as a worship leader. One of her final gifts to the children of her community was a donation to the Dixon Park District to improve the Splash Pad. The visitation will be at Jones Funeral Home at 204 S. Ottawa in Dixon on Friday, December 1st from 4-7pm. The funeral will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 2nd at Franklin Grove Church of the Brethren, burial will be at Emmert Cemetery with luncheon to follow at the Church, 121 W. North St., Franklin Grove. In lieu of flowers Carol would prefer memorial donations to Sinnissippi Centers Foundation for the Youth Garden Program.