Cheryl Lynn Novak

Cheryl Lynn Novak (nee Ruggles), 79, of Elyria, died Tuesday, June 17,2025 after a brief illness. She was born January 21,1946 in Portage Lakes, Ohio and resided in California and Arizona as a child. She moved to Elyria as a teenager and was a 1964 graduate of Elyria High School. Cheryl was a longtime employee of JC Penney Company, Elyria and for 8 years owned The Candy Store on Grafton Road in Elyria. She was a member of First United Methodist Church and enjoyed camping, bingo, bowling, watching the Cleveland Guardians and playing board games and puzzles. She was an avid dog lover, especially her beloved dog, Pinta.

Cheryl is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Richard J.; daughters Brenda M. Leyva (Jose Martinez) of Elyria, Alicia L. (Bryan) Engstrom of Strongsville and Enett M. (Matthew) Moir of Greenville, SC; son Richard W. Novak of Elyria; grandchildren, Kristi, David, Tyler, Emily, Ashley and Connor; great-grandchildren, Travis, Alyssa, Hazel, Myra, Case and Mavrick; brothers, Robert Ruggles of New London, Charles Ruggles of Elyria and John (Beth) Ruggles of Springboro, Ohio; half-sister, Carol Ann (Don)Hosier and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Wilma Ruggles and brothers, Gene, and George “Bill” Ruggles.

Friends will be received Saturday, July 12, 2025 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Dicken Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 323 Middle Avenue, Elyria.  A private interment of ashes will be in Nesbett Cemetery, Grafton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Friendship Animal Protective League, 8303 Murray Ridge Road, Elyria.

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