FRANK J. AND EMMA [BELKA] PAVLIK
Frank James Pavlik III was born March 10, 1903, to Frank J. II and
Emma Mudra Pavlik. He attended the Stoney Butte country school and
played clarinet in the Verdigre Military Band along with his brother
“Slim” Pavlik, who played the baritone.
[pg 361 PHOTO The Frank J. and Emma Pavlik [seated] family - from
left: Robert, Mary Ellen [Pavlik] Hahn, and Richard Pavlik]
Frank married Emma Belka on June 9, 1925. He was employed at the
Verdigre Creamery for several years. He was owner and operator of
The Verdigre Citizen from 1924 to 1927 and worked a year for
weeklies in Osmond and Plainview. He also did carpentry work during
that time. In 1929 they moved back to Verdigre and farmed west of
town on the home place until his death on November 29, 1981.
Emma is the daughter of Carl and Mary Runtsch Belka and attended the
country school. After her marriage to Frank she worked as a linotype
operator for the “Verdigre Citizen.” She was Frank’s “right hand
helper” during his years as a businessman and later on the farm
where she enjoyed flowers and gardening and watching their three
children grow up. She still resides on the family place west of town
with occasional visits to the children.
Richard, born living, graduated from Verdigre High School
in 1947. He helped his dad on the farm until he entered the military
in 1952. He married Doris Branner in 1954 and they lived in Orlando,
Florida, for one year. They moved to Joliet, Illinois, where Richard
has worked for the Caterpillar Tractor Co. as an Engineering
Research Technician for 30 years. Richard and Doris have one son,
Bryan, born living. Bryan attended Verdigre High during his
senior year, graduating in 1976.
Mary Ellen was born living, and graduated from Verdigre High
School in 1956. She worked at Felix’s Café and Farmer’s Union Co-op
store in Verdigre until 1964 when she moved to Valentine, Nebraska,
and worked at the Marion Hotel for one year. She then attended a
business school in North Platte and in 1966 moved to Grand Island
and worked for a photography studio. In Grand Island she met and
married Ralph Hahn in 1979. He taught Vocational Ag in the Northwest
High School and farmed in the Chapman area. Ralph died on March 1,
1983, and Mary Ellen continues to live in Chapman. Ralph had four
sons: Wilhelm, Walter, Warren and Wayne.
Robert, born living, was a 1959 Verdigre High School
graduate. He moved to Omaha and worked for the John Brown Electronic
Company for several years. Then he moved to Lincoln and attended the
University of Nebraska, graduating in 1968. He worked at the Stereo
Studios and in 1972 married Sandra Maughn. Robert and Sandra lost
two babies at birth, Bobby Jo and Thad. They adopted little Shane
after Thad’s death. Sandra had a son, Tommy, by a previous marriage.
He was born living. Tragedy entered Robert’s life again
when he lost his wife and baby Shane in a fire that destroyed their
home in 1976. Robert and Tommy live in Lincoln where Robert now
works for the State Distributing Company as a date processing
manager.
All three of Frank and Emma’s children attended the Stoney Butte
country school before they entered high school at Verdigre.
-Submitted by Mrs. Leatrice Vakoc
Pages
361, 362
