JOHN E. AND MAY [BARTA] PAVLIK
John E. Pavlik was born May 16, 1908, to Ladd O. and Marie Elizabeth
(Hanzlik) Pavlik. He attended the rural Pleasant Valley School and
was a graduate of Verdigre High School in 1926. John had three
sisters: Marjorie (Mrs. Harry A. Pavlik), Irene (Mrs. Emil Jerman),
and Marie who passed away as a young child.
On May 4, 1938, he married May M. Barta at Center, Nebraska. May was
the daughter of Raymond and Vlasta (Vonasek) Barta and was born May
27, 1914. May and her three brothers, Clifford, Arnold, and James,
attended school in District No. 37 Knox County, Knoxville, Nebraska.
John and May resided on his father’s farm six miles west of Verdigre
after Ladd moved to a farm a mile northwest of the homestead in
Jefferson Township. John served as township board member, assessor,
and on the Pleasant Valley school board. The children of John and
May, John, Jr., Maxine, and Harry, all attended rural school
District No. 47 Pleasant Valley through grade eight and were
graduates of Verdigre High School.
[pg 362 PHOTO The John E. and May Pavlik family: back row, left:
Harry, Kathryn, May, John, Ardis, John, Jr., and Mark; middle row:
James, Kent, Mike, and Monica; front: Frances, John, Christina,
Jerry, Suzanne, Maxine, and Jennifer]
From 1948 to 1952, John and May operated the Verdigre Furniture and
Hardware Store. After selling their store, they returned to farming
and continued until they retired in 1972. After retiring from
farming they continued to live on the home place, keeping active by
assisting in work and enjoying hobbies of woodworking and rock and
gem collection. John enjoyed music and played in several bands and
taught his children and grandchildren the appreciation of music. As
a young man John played in the Pleasant Valley Bank which was
organized in 1913 by his father Ladd. This Czech band played for
barn dances, Fourth of July celebrations, and many socials held in
the Bila Hora Lodge Hall in Verdigre and other towns of northeastern
Nebraska and South Dakota. In the very beginning of the 1920s the
band gradually began to gain the name of the Pavlik Band, but the
depression and the drought took its toll on the band and it never
came back to entertain people as it had at one time. In 1938, a few
of the remaining band members got together to come and play at the
charivari of John and May. Ladd was the first of four generations of
bass players in the Pavlik family. John E., his son John L. Pavlik,
Jr., and grandson Mark Pavlik continue the family tradition. In
1978, May and John celebrated their 40th Anniversary at the ZCBJ
Hall in Verdigre by having an open house with a large gathering of
friends and relatives.
John and May were members of the ZCBJ Lodge in Verdigre with John
being a 50-year member. John was a member of the Masonic Lodge No.
87 of Niobrara and a 32nd Degree Mason. May is active in the Eastern
Star Ionic Lodge No. 172 of Niobrara.
On July 18, 1985, John passed away at the age of 77 years. He is
greatly missed by his family as he was such a kind a considerate
person and he deeply adored all his grandchildren. Interment was at
Jelen Cemetery at Verdigre. May continues to live on the family’s
homestead.
The eldest son of John and May was John Ladislav Pavlik, Jr. Born
living, at Niobrara, Nebraska, he graduated from high
school in 1959 and enlisted in the U. S. Navy. John and Ardis Marie
Bennar were married December 21, 1961, at Creighton, Nebraska. Ardis
is the daughter of Floyd and Lillian Bennar of Verdigre and was born
living. To this union three children were born: Mark James
on living; Monica Marie, who was born on living,
married Virgil Pavelka on June 8, 1985; Michael John was born V. John and Ardis reside in Verdigre.
Maxine May was born to John and May on living, at Niobrara.
After graduating from high school in 1960, she attended nursing
school in Pierre, South Dakota. On May 4, 1963, on the 25th Wedding
Anniversary of John and May. Maxine was married to Jerry Dean Scheer
at St. Wenceslaus, Church in Verdigre. Born living, Jerry
is the son of the late Walter and Eva Scheer of Winnetoon. To this
union four daughters were born: Frances May was born on living, and married John Thompson on December 21, 1985; Suzanne Marie,
born living, married Michael Perry on October 9, 1986;
Jennifer Ann was born living, and Christina Lynn Scheer was
born living. Maxine and Jerry reside in Tacoma,
Washington, and over the years have opened their home and hearts to
fostering over 40 children.
The youngest son of John and May, Harry James, was born living, in Yankton, South Dakota. After his graduation from high
school in 1963, Harry continued to farm with his father on the
homestead until enlisting in the U. S. Air Force in 1967. Harry
served his country during the Vietnam War. On October 14, 1972,
Harry and Kathryn Kay Meckfessel were united in marriage in Omaha,
Nebraska. Kathryn is the daughter of Earl and Ora Mae Meckfessel of
Rozel, Kansas, and was born living. To this union three
sons were born: James Allen on living; Kent Duane on
living, and John Earl on living. Harry and Kathryn
continue farming six miles west of Verdigre.
Pages
362, 363
