John D. and Faye E. Noak, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .

Transcribed biography of John D. and Faye E. Noak

THE JOHN D. AND FAYE E. NOAK FAMILY

John David Noak, Wheeler, and Faye Eloise Phillips, Hobart, were married in the Lutheran Church parsonage at Valparaiso, April, 1934. They moved from Hobart to Wheeler, Union Township in 1950.

Mr. Noak, born in Chicago, lived in Gary, Washington Township, Hobart and Wheeler. He was employed at U.S. Steel as a roll grinder in the sheet mill and retired in 1973, after 41 years service. Mr. Noak's parents were Gustaf and Mary (Strakis) Noak. They immigrated to Chicago from Germany and Lithuania, later moving to the Wheeler farm. He also was employed at U.S. Steel.

Mrs. Noak's parents were Albert S. and Grace (Norton) Phillips. Originally from Orchard Grove, Lowell and LeRoy, they settled in Hobart where Mr. Phillips, a pharmacist, owned a drug store (Phillips and Byall) for 45 years. They were active in community and church affairs, both holding state offices in the Order of Eastern Star. Mr. Phillips served on the committee that planned the Methodist Church in Hobart.

Seven children were born to John and Faye Noak. All were educated in the Union Township schools and some went on to various universities. All are active in church, civic, and athletic affairs of their communities.

John Phillips Noak and wife Donna reside in Jackson Township, Westville. They have six children, John, Laura, Jeffrey, Lisa, Lynne, and Leaun. He is in the insurance business.

Valayda and husband Roger Nibert, reside in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. He is an organic chemist. Their children are David, Leisa and Holly.

Mary and husband Ronald Spruitenburg, who is a carpenter with Suburban Homes, reside in Washington Township, Valparaiso. Their children are Scott and Susan.

Martha and husband Ralph E. Chester II reside in Racine, Wisconsin where he is an orthodontist technician. They have Ralph III and Gregory.

Georgia and husband Kenneth Barnett, who owns the Barnett Painting and Decorating Co., reside in Washington Township, Valparaiso. Their children are Amy, Kenneth, and Jane.

David and wife Michele reside in Valparaiso. Employed at Bethlehem Steel Co., they have Harry and Jennifer.

Thomas is Assistant Manager at the Valparaiso store of Harveys. He resides at R.R. #2, Hobart.

Advertisements in the possession of the writer shows that in 1913 chocolate candy sold for 29¢ a lb. and in 1975 it was $3.00 a lb. Veal shoulder roast was 17¢ a lb. in 1936 as compared to $2.75 a lb. in 1975. Comparable rents were $8.00 a month for a bungalow in Hobart in 1936 and in 1975 a Washington Township house rented for $325.00 a month.

Interesting also to the writer is the change that came about all over the country when people moved out from inner cities and businesses followed to the rural areas, building complexes of stores, called Malls. The country sides were dotted with new homes and created the need for more schools.

Washers, dryers. color T.V. 's, dishwashers, organs, combines, freezers and cars are indeed a way of life and no longer considered luxuries and with the time saving conveniences, people wondered where the time went. The good Lord's world seemed to be getting smaller with each invention and discovery the past 200 years.
 


Source: American Revolution Bicentennial Committee of Porter County. 1976. A Biographical History of Porter County, Indiana. Valparaiso, Indiana: American Revolution Bicentennial Committee of Porter County, Inc. 180 p.
Page(s) in Source: 140

This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.

Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook

 

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