William J Novotny, of Deerbrook, died Monday, March 10, 2014 at his home. He was 69 years old. He was born on January 26, 1945 in Neva, a son of Frank and Antonia (Bernasek) Novotny. He married Terry Drew on September 21, 1968 at St. John Catholic Church, in Bloomville. She survives.
He was raised in Neva and graduated from Antigo High School with the class of 1963. After several years working in a tire shop in Racine he was drafted into the United States Army. He served from 1965-1967 having been stationed in the Dominican Republic and Ft. Stewart, Georgia.
Mr. Novotny lived in Gleason for ten years and worked as a mechanic in Antigo and Merrill. He worked as a carpenter for many years, most recently for McNeil-West Construction having retired in 2013.
He was a member of St. Wencel Catholic Church in Neva where he served as sexton of the church cemetery and for the town of Neva cemeteries. He also served the township as treasurer for many years.
He coached the Deerbrook baseball Little League team for many years, was a volunteer for Neva Days and enjoyed restoring the Old Neva School and was member of the Northwoods Tractor club
His hobbies included restoring a 1961 Dodge Dart, golfing with family and friends, yearly ski trips to upper Michigan, hunting and fishing. He generously shared his time with his children and grandchildren as they were his pride and joy.
Survivors including his wife are two daughters Tracie (John) Olson, York, Penn, Melissa (Peter) Schlegel, Gleason; two sons Neil Novotny, Weston, Keith (Kathryn) Novotny, Durham, North Carolina; eight grandchildren Peyton Novotny, Andi, Benjamin and Jared Olson, Gabrielle, Will, Allison and Anna Schlegel; three step-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren;
two sisters Elizabeth (Herbert) Bork, Columbus, Ohio, Mary Kasperski, Berwyn, Illinois; two sisters-in-law Rita (David) Nicholson, Deerbrook, Jacquelene (Kenneth) Shaurette, Chetek; a brother-in-law Randy Drew, Las Vegas, Nevada; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Thomas Novotny and a brother-in-law, Richard Kasperski.
A funeral Mass will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Wencel Catholic Church with Rev Alvan Amadi officiating. Burial will take place in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be 3:30 – 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Bradley Funeral Home and 9 – 10:15 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home. A parish wake service will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday also at the funeral home.
Online condolences at www.bradleyfh.com.