Steve Novicki, 79, of
Mendota, formerly of Dixon,
died Dec. 28, 2013, in Mendota
Community Hospital.
A memorial service will be at
9:30 a.m. Jan. 31, in Stonecroft
Village, 1700 Burlington St.,
Mendota to celebrate Steve's
life, with the Rev. Tom Otto
officiating.
Arrangements were provided
by Merritt
Funeral
Home ,
Mendota.
Born in
Chicago
on May 2,
1934, Steve
was raised
at the former
Dixon State
School as
an orphan and later worked at
various local businesses, often
holding several jobs at once.
Steve endured much hardship
yet always had a loving smile
and quick joke to remind us of
life's simple pleasures.
At age 73, Steve joined
Project VITAL at Sauk Valley
Community College to learn
how to read. His friends write:
"With the help of his volunteer
tutor, Patricia Lewis, he
showed us it's never too late to
pursue your dreams. Although
he departs with no known family,
he leaves his friends with
full hearts and an inspiration to
overcome life's obstacles. Rest
in peace, good friend. We miss
you."
Memorials may be directed
to CASA Children's Advocacy
of Dixon and Project VITAL
at Sauk Valley Community
College.