Rev. Herbert Timothy Novak

Pastor H. Tim Novak, 69, of Fossil and Hermiston, Ore., went home to be with the Lord on June 18, 2013, at his Fossil home. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, June 24, 2013, at the United Methodist Church in Fossil. A graveside service with military honors will follow at 4 p.m. Monday June 24, 2013, at the Hermiston Cemetery.

He was born on December 11, 1943, at Meadville, Pennsylvania, the son of Lewis and Edna Goughler Novak. He was raised at Zelienople, Pennsylvania, where he graduated from Zelienople High School. He entered the United States Army at Fort Lewis, Washington, in 1961. He was honorably discharged in 1964 and continued his reserve obligation until June of 1967.

He then went on to graduate from Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington. He entered the banking industry and worked for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation FDIC for 25 years. After working in banking he attended Fuller Theological Seminary, and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. He pastured at East Douglass, Massachusetts, Fossil and Echo, Oregon. His passion was for rural ministries. Pastor Tim truly enjoyed his participation and fellowship with the STEPS Ministries, an organization that trains and equips rural pastors. His other passion was spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Nancy Novak, sons Tony Novak and his wife Jackie and Brian Novak and his wife Christine, all of Hermiston; sisters Charlene Stevenson and her husband William of Butler, Pennsylvania, and Mary Lour Blough of The Villages, Florida; six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Edna Novak, and brother-in-law Richard Blough.

Memorial contributions may be made to STEPS Ministries, P.O. Box 133, Monument, OR 97864.

Sweeney Mortuary of Condon is in care of arrangements.