Andrew Charles Novara

LAKE OF EGYPT - Andrew Charles Novara, 86, husband of Alice Jane Novara (both formerly of Murphysboro), passed away Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, at their Lake of Egypt home following a battle with cancer.

Andy was born June 18, 1939, to Leonard and Carmelita Novara in Murphysboro.

On April 25, 1959, Andy married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Alice Jane Arbeiter. She survives.

As a young man, Andy worked for his father at Western Auto, subsequently taking over the business in 1973 as owner and operator until closing the store in 1993. He then worked at Lake Murphysboro for a year before going to work for Central Management Services at the Illinois Department of Transportation offices in Carbondale until his retirement in 2002.

Andy was active in the community of Murphysboro. He followed in his father's footsteps and served the community as a police and fire commissioner for several decades. He was also an active member of the Murphysboro Elks Lodge 572, the Murphysboro Chamber of Commerce, Murphysboro Merchants Association, BASS Masters Club and the Murphysboro Athletic Boosters Association.

After retirement, Andy and Jane moved from their Murphysboro home to their family vacation home at the Lake of Egypt where they were blessed to have the best neighbors. They also enjoyed traveling to Orlando, Panama City Beach, the Bahamas, Branson and Hawaii.

A former Red Devil football and track athlete, Andy remained a lifelong Red Devil supporter. He enjoyed all Red Devil events, but especially enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren wearing the Crimson & Corn.

Andy was proud to be an American of Sicilian heritage. He loved his family history and American history. His happiest moments were those spent with his family and those spent on the water fishing. He was blessed with so many special friends and fishing buddies. Fish fries were a constant, whether in Murphysboro or at the Lake of Egypt, and frequently included a competitive game of bocce. Holidays were reserved for true Italian celebrations, complete with the family recipes of homemade meatballs and sauce.

In addition to his wife, other survivors include daughter, Amy Novara Murphy, husband Jim Murphy, of Murphysboro; son, Leonard Edwin Novara, wife Cindy Streuter; grandson, Drew Novara, wife Katie; granddaughter, Emily Newton, husband Brett and great-grandson Levi; as well as two brothers and two sisters-in-law, Gene and Jeri Novara and Chuck and Connie Novara, and Chuck's step-daughters Christina and Beth; brother-in-law and wife, Bill and Joyce Arbeiter and their children, Karen, Brian and Brad, and grandchildren, Ryan and Kelsey; children of the late Al and Nan Novara, Andy (son John) and Nell (daughter Evie); and Tony Arbeiter, son of the late Don Arbeiter.

Andy was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Carmelita Novara; Jane's parents, Eddie and Alice Arbeiter; brother, Albert "Butch" Novara; sister-in-law, Nan Novara; brother-in-law, Don Arbeiter; niece, Rebecca Jane Novara; and nephew, Thomas John Novara.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1915 Pine St. in Murphysboro. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m., with Mark Surburg and Matthew Christian officiating. Interment will follow in Pleasant Grove Memorial Park.

The family would like to thank Andy's entire healthcare team, including all nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals. Jane would like to especially thank Donna for her time and care provided.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Murphysboro Education Foundation. Checks may be made payable to Murphysboro Education Foundation and mailed to: Murphysboro Community Unit School District 186, District Office, 593 Ava Road, Murphysboro, IL 62966. Memorials may also be made through PayPal. (Search: Murphysboro Education Foundation.)

Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

To view the obituary and/or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.