Donald P. Novacich

MINOCQUA, Wis. — Donald P. Novacich, 76, of Ironwood, Mich., died Tuesday, July 23, 2013, at Avanti Health and Rehabilitation Center in Minocqua.

He was born Dec. 24, 1936, in Ironwood, son of the late Peter and Theresa (Vlasich) Novacich, attended Ironwood public schools, and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1954. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army on Jan. 11, 1955, serving in Company B, 249th Engineer Construction Battalion, in France and Germany, and was honorably discharged on Dec. 23, 1957.

Following his discharge, Donald worked for the International Harvester Co. in Chicago for a short time and briefly in a pelletizing plant in Silver Bay, Minn. He then was employed at White Pine Copper Co. from 1960 until his retirement in 1995.

Donald was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, the Aurora Athletic Club and the Range Cribbage League. He enjoyed socializing with his friends at the Midway Bar in Ironwood and loved playing in cribbage and smear tournaments. He also was a big Green Bay Packers fan and enjoyed watching Jeopardy.

Surviving are his brother, Matt (Blanche), and sister, Kathleen Hudacek, both of Ironwood; nephews and nieces, Gordon (Helen) Maki, Green Bay, Doug (Mary) Maki, Janesville, and Sandy (Mike) Patrick, Jerri (Bob) Hamen, Julie Hudacek, Kathy Lahti (Chip Winchowski), Tony “Butch” Hudacek and Jim (Carrie) Hudacek, all of Ironwood; great- nieces and nephews, Cheryl Maki and Lynn (Victor) Murphy, both of Green Bay, Doug (Beth) Maki, Germantown, Michael Maki, Spain, Kathleen Maki, Seattle, and Nik Patrick, Casey and Katie Hamen, and Rachel and Kevin Hudacek, all of Ironwood; and great-great- nieces and nephews, Aidan, Owen, Ava and Griffen Murphy, and Maggie and Grace Maki.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Paul, George and Frank; two sisters, Ann Myers and Mary Maki; and brothers-in-law, Kaino Maki, John Myers and Tony Hudacek Sr.

Per Donald’s wishes, cremation has taken place.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, July 26, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation in the St. Joseph Family Room at 10 a.m., at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Ben Hasse, celebrant.

Luncheon will follow in the parish hall.

Rite of Committal and interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood, where full military honors will be accorded by the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard.

Donald’s obituary can be viewed online and condolences given to his family at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.