Jerome (Jerry) Benjamin Novosad, 75, of Hallettsville, completed his journey to Heaven on December 18, 2014. He was born on December 23, 1938 in Wharton, TX to Victor & Sophie Dirba Novosad. On June 18, 1960, he married his wife of 54 years, Dottie Smaistria, in East Bernard, TX.

He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather & great-grandfather. Jerry's main calling in life was to teach more than 27 years. He was also a counselor, realtor, rancher & writer. He loved hunting & fishing and shared those pastimes with many friends & family. In his youth, he excelled in academics & athletics, being captain of his high school football & baseball teams. Jerry also served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corp.

Education was very important to Jerry. He earned an Associate of Arts degree from Wharton County Junior College, Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts from University of Houston, and a PhD in Educational Psychology from Texas A&M University in College Station, TX.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Laurine, Dorothy, & Georgia; and two brothers, William & Daniel.

He is survived by his wife, Dottie; brother, Gene Novosad of San Antonio; son, Roger Novosad and wife Tracy of Point Blank; daughter, Alice Brinkman & husband, Aldie of Lyons; daughter, Teresa Massay of Hallettsville; daughter Cindy Mache & husband, Tom of Bryan. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Paige Cowart & husband, Kelton; Dusty Conroy; Joshua Brinkman & wife, Misty; Vicky Brinkman and Tyler Brinkman; Ron Wood and Jesse Massay; Madilyn Mache and great-grandchildren Clayton & Rileigh Brinkman and Jase Cowart; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral Mass Service: 11 am, Monday, Dec. 22, 2014, at Ascension of our Lord Catholic Church of Moravia. Visitation: 4 pm, Sunday at Kubena Funeral Home. Rosary: 6 pm, Sunday, at Kubena Funeral Home. Officiants: Rev. Benjamin Smaistria, Deacon Dennis Smaistria, and Msgr. John Peters. Pallbearers: Joshua Brinkman, Ron Wood, Dusty Conroy, Tyler Brinkman, Jesse Massay and Clayton Brinkman. Honorary Pallbearers: Vicky Brinkman, Paige Cowart, Madilyn Mache, Misty Brinkman, Kelton Cowart, Rileigh Brinkman, Jase Cowart. Burial: Ascension of our Lord Catholic Cemetery, Moravia, TX. Memorials: American Heart Association, American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.