Jade Colleen Novak, 28, of Ottawa, passed away on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at her grandparents' home with her loved ones by her side.

A celebration of life will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 3, 2024 at Knox Landing, Heritage Harbor Ottawa, IL. Burial will be in Nichol Cemetery in Marseilles with a private graveside service. Seals-Campbell Funeral Home in Marseilles has been entrusted with arrangements.

Jade was born April 18, 1995 in Ottawa. She attended St. Patrick's Grade School and graduated from Ottawa Township High School, where she played volleyball, ran track, and acted as cross country team manager. In addition, she attended several courses at Illinois Valley Community College.

Jade spent her childhood barefoot in her grandpa's backyard catching frogs, snakes, and anything else she could get her hands on. She spent her final years collecting seashells and sand dollars from Florida beaches. In her teens and early 20s, she found enjoyment in styling her hair, piercings, modeling, and masonry. Close family members recall her love for Billy Joel, particularly the ballad Goodnight, My Angel. Her tenderness toward wildlife of all kinds and her youthful, whimsical outlook on life are remembered by loved ones.

Jade is survived by her grandparents, Hope and Larry Kelly; her step-grandparents, Rose and John Rogalla; her parental guardian and aunt, Lora Nehring; her sibling under guardianship, Kyle Nehring; her aunts and uncles, Tommi Kenny, Christine (Jake) Caputo, Eric (Tara) Ohlendorf, Tom Dobbles, Paul (Jana Taylor) Rogalla, Patrick (Brandy) Rogalla.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Kimberly Kelly Rogalla; her step-father, Richard Rogalla; her grandmother, Carol Kelly; and a menagerie of beloved pets.

Memorials may be directed to the Goodnight, Angel Jade Fund, created by her grandparents, Hope and Larry Kelly. The Fund will be held by the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation and used to provide financial assistance to local charitable organizations dedicated to finding solutions and changing lives for youth struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues.

Contributions are being accepted online at www.srccf.org/directory-of-funds or by check, made payable to SRCCF, and mailed to 241 Marquette Street, LaSalle, IL  61301.  The Foundation may be reached at (815) 252-2906.

Seals-Campbell Funeral Home

1009 E. Bluff St., Marseilles, IL 61341

815-795-5151 www.sealscampbell.com