Ellen Novacek, 102
Born Oct. 6, 1909
Died: June 10, 2012

Ellen Novacek, 102, of Three Oaks, died Sunday afternoon, June 10, 2012, at Riveridge Manor in Niles.

Ellen and her twin sister, Helen, were born Oct. 6, 1909, at the family farm in Three Oaks to Joseph and Belle (Glossinger) Novacek. The farm was her home for 93 years. She attended Basswood School, walking three miles to school each day. Ellen worked with her parents and five siblings on the family’s fruit farm. They grew apples, grapes, berries and vegetables. They took their produce to Benton Harbor Fruit Exchange, and later, sold to grocery stores in Indiana and Illinois. Ellen’s family owned Novacek’s Grocery Store on Red Arrow Highway in Union Pier at one time, as well as operated a milk delivery service for Producers Creamery in Benton Harbor.

After retiring from farming, Ellen and her sister, Helen, tended a beautiful one-acre garden for many years at the family home they continued to share.

Ellen enjoyed activities at the Union Pier Community Center. She lived life with enthusiasm, playing bingo and Bunco, going on outings with her family and also with the friends she made at Riveridge, and she even participated in the Senior Olympics.

Survivors include her nieces and nephews, Patricia (Robert) Peterek, of Niles, Nancy (William) Garvey, of Shereville, Ind., Joseph Novacek, of Union Pier, James (Carol) Waaso, of Asheville, N.C., Susan (Dennis) Armstrong, of Highland, Mich., Jerry Novacek, of Union Pier, and Candy (Wayne) Freehling, of Sawyer; 35 great-nieces and nephews; 27 great-great-nieces and nephews; and two great-great-great-nieces and nephews.

Ellen was preceded in death by her twin sister, Helen, on Sept. 17, 2003. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Bessie Waaso; brothers, Charles, Anton and Jess; niece, Daryl Sullivan; and nephews, David, Richard and Chuck.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, June 15, at Pobocik Funeral Home in Three Oaks with

Mr. Garry Lange as celebrant. Interment will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery in New Buffalo. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.

Tributes may be left at www.pobocik.com.