Jerome Clarence "Smiles" Nowak. Age 97 of Manistee, Michigan, went to be with the lord, on Monday, September 23, 2024 at Nancy's House in Manistee, Michigan.

He was born on July 24, 1927 in Manistee, Michigan the son of the late Stanley and Frances (Chycinski) Nowak. He was a graduate of Manistee High School with the Class of 1945. He served in the U.S. Army, near the end of World War II from October 18, 1945 until November 18, 1946. He was employed with the Century Boat Company in Manistee most of his life, until his retirement, when the company ceased its operations in Manistee. He was a life time member of Divine Mercy Parish (St. Joseph Catholic Church) of Manistee, where he had been an usher for many years, and a life member of the B.P.O. Elks Lodge of Manistee. He was an excellent cook and baker, and was well known, for his Sunday night meals for his family and friends, he was always willing to share his cooking knowledge and recipes with his family and friends.

He is survived by his nieces and nephews, Karen Daly, Paul and Julie Kubacki, Michael and Roselie Kubacki, Lois and David Shipley, Richard and Judy Nowak, and Susie Balcerek, four great nieces, Angela (Dr. Andrew) Cochrane and their children, Trinity and Oscar Cochrane, Jennifer Kubacki, Vanessa Shipley, and Elizabeth Shipley. Several cousins also survive him.

He was also preceded in death by his sister, Gertrude Nowak, his sister and brother in-law, Alice and Edward Kubacki, his brother's and sister's in-law, Aloysius "Al" and Regina Nowak and Ervin and Carlene Nowak, his nephew Robert Kubacki and great nephew, Chad D. Shipley.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at 11:00 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee with Reverend James Bearss celebrant.  Burial will follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Manistee where the members of the Manistee County United Veterans Council Ritual Squad will conduct military honors.

Relatives and friends will pray the evening Vigil Service at the Herbert Funeral Home in Manistee at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday evening, October 1, 2024.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Wednesday morning from 10:00 a.m. until leaving for the church at 10:40 a.m.

Memorials will be established in Jerome's name, for Divine Mercy Parish and Mount Carmel Cemetery both of Manistee. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.