Orlena Florence (Schmitz) Novak (1919 - 1994)

Born 8 Mar 1919 in Renault, Monroe County, Illinois, United States

Ancestors

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Ron Johnson [send private message]

This profile is part of the Monroe County, Illinois One Place Study.

Biography

Orlena Florence Schmitz was born in Renault, Monroe County, Illinois on March 8, 1919. ^{{See Research Note #1 below}}
She was the daughter of William Schmitz and Wilhelmenia Meyer. ^{{See Research Note #1 below}}

In April, 1930, 11 year old Orlena was found living with her parents' family in Renault Precinct, Monroe County, Illinois. Her father William, a farmer, mother Minnie, and siblings, Tillie, Eleanora, Irene, Clara, George, Agnes, and Darlene were also in the home. Irene, Orlena, and Clara were attending school. William's brother Jacob Schmitz, a carpenter, was also living with them. ^{[1] {See Research Note #3 below for full details}}

Orlena married Frank Novak, probably about 1936.
Their children were

• Lucille M. Novak
• James W. Novak
• Private Novak
• Private Novak
• Private Novak

• Fact: Residence (Jan 1993) Waterloo, Monroe County, Illinois.

Orlena died at the age of 75 on May 6, 1994.
She was laid to rest in St. Mary's Cemetery, Renault, Monroe County, Illinois.

In June, 2021, Orlena Novak was mentioned as a deceased sister in an obituary for Darlene Wetzler, nee Schmitz, published on June 24, 2021 by Quernheim Funeral Home in Waterloo, Illinois. ^[2]

Research Notes

1. Birth and Parentage

Direct, primary sources for Orlena's date and place of birth have not yet been found, nor have those proving her parentage. However, secondary sources may be available that speak to her date of birth and/or parentage.

• 1930 census: daughter of William Schmitz, implied daughter of Minnie Schmitz, age 11, born in Illinois ^[1]
• Relationship to parents is implied but not stated in her sister Darlene's 2021 obituary. ^[2]

2. Marriage and Children

3. Census Records

United States Census, 1930 ^[1]

• Wm. J. Schmitz, head of house, owns home worth $500, lives on a farm, male, age 50, married at age 29, can read & write, born in Illinois, father born in Germany, mother born in Illinois, speaks English, occupation is farmer engaged in farming, is not a military veteran.
• Minnie Schmitz, wife, female, age 43, married at age 22, can read & write, born in Illinois, both parents born in Illinois, speaks English, occupation is housework on the farm.
• Tillie Schmitz, daughter, female, age 18, single, can read & write, born in Illinois, both parents born in Illinois, speaks English.
• Elanora [sic] Schmitz, daughter, female, age 17, single, can read & write, born in Illinois, both parents born in Illinois, speaks English.
• Irene Schmitz, daughter, female, age 13, single, attended school, can read & write, born in Illinois, both parents born in Illinois, speaks English.
• Orlena Schmitz, daughter, female, age 11, single, attended school, can read & write, born in Illinois, both parents born in Illinois, speaks English.
• Clara Schmitz, daughter, female, age 9, single, attended school, can read & write, born in Illinois, both parents born in Illinois, speaks English.
• George Schmitz, son, male, age 7, single, attended school, born in Illinois, both parents born in Illinois.
• Agnes Schmitz, daughter, female, age 5, single, born in Illinois, both parents born in Illinois.
• Darlene Schmitz, daughter, female, age 2 months, single, born in Illinois, both parents born in Illinois.
• Jacob Schmitz, brother, male, age 52, single, can read & write, born in Illinois, both parents born in Illinois, speaks English, occupation is carpenter engaged in building, is not a military veteran.

4. Death and Burial

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XS1D-XW7 : accessed 25 June 2021), Orlena Schmitz in household of Wm J Schmitz, Renault, Monroe, Illinois, United States; citing ED 15, sheet 4A, family 77, NARA microfilm T626 roll 544; FHL microfilm 2,340,279.
   Right-click HERE to view the original census document.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Quernheim Funeral Home obituaries, database (accessed 24 Jun 2021), Orlena Novak in Darlene C. Wetzler, nee Schmitz, aged 91. Originally published on June 24, 2021.
   Right-click HERE to read the on-line obituary.
   Contact Ron Johnson for a paper and/or digital copy of the document

See also:

• Ancestry Profile (accessed 24 June 2021): profile for Orlena Florence Schmitz on Ron Johnson's tree on Ancestry.com. May have other sources.