Braylen M. Novak, 18

Braylen Matthew Novak, 18, beloved son, brother and grandson, lost his life in a motor vehicle accident Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. 

Born Oct. 10, 2003, in Dover, he was the son of Stan and Tonya (Penick) Novak. 

A senior at Conotton Valley High School, Braylen also studied at Kent State Tuscarawas. He was a 3-sport athlete, competing on the varsity squad of his school’s baseball, basketball and football teams. He was a member of the National Honor Society and loved his roles with the Drama Club. Braylen was an avid golfer who worked at Big Bend Golf Course, and he loved playing Xbox with his buddies. Braylen will be remembered as a positive leader among his peers in his community who was never without his upbeat smile. 

In addition to his parents, he will be deeply missed by his brother, Nate Novak; maternal grandparents, Carl and Kathy Penick; aunts, Terri Novak, Steph Renicker, and Kacey (Mitchell) Laps; cousins, Hayden Renicker, Elise (Vince) Hensel and Baily, Bodie and Briley Laps; and many, many friends and classmates. 

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Louis “L.T.” Novak and Janet L. Novak. 

His uncle, Mitchell Laps, and cousin, Justin Higgenbotham, will officiate a 6 p.m. funeral Feb. 21 at Conotton Valley High School where Braylen’s family will receive callers from 11 a.m. until the service begins. He will be interred in Sherrodsville Memorial Gardens. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Conotton Valley Booster Club, PO Box 169, Sherrodsville, OH 44675 and Conotton Valley Alumni Association, PO Box 187, Sherrodsville, OH 44675.