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Franklin 'Hank' Podbelsek

[October 20, 2009]  NEW HOLLAND -- Franklin R. "Hank" Podbelsek, 76, of New Holland, died Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009, at 1:22 a.m. at St. John's Hospital in Springfield.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Thursday at Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln. His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Burial will be in Richmond Grove Cemetery.

Mr. Podbelsek was employed with John Deere Co. at New Holland for 58 years.

He was born Feb. 9, 1933, in Minier to Carl and Clara Lula Imig Podbelsek. He married Noreta "Dee" Wurzburger on Oct. 27, 1956, at Granada, Miss.

He is survived by his wife, of New Holland; two sons, Dan (and Ann) Podbelsek of Lincoln and Guy (and Rose) Podbelsek of New Holland; three daughters, Ginger Musick of Lincoln, Jennifer Tobias of St. Louis, Mo., and Natalie (and Mike) Metzger of Decatur; two brothers, Charles Podbelsek of Spencer, Wis., and Alan (and Jean) Podbelsek of Louisville, Ky.; one sister, Ruth Dravis of Bloomington; 12 grandchildren, Ty Sank, Miles Musick, Marissa Musick, Mason Musick, Toby Tobias, Molly Tobias, Paige Podbelsek, Amanda Podbelsek, Will Podbelsek, Wade Metzger, Rachel Podbelsek and Lance Podbelsek; and one great-granddaughter, Paycen Schaefer.

His grandchildren will serve as active and honorary pallbearers.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Leslie Sank; one sister, Wanetta Jacobs; and two half brothers, Billie Podbelsek and Larry Podbelsek.

He was former fire chief for the New Holland Volunteer Fire Department, served on the New Holland-Middletown school board for 11 years and was a Sheridan Township trustee for 40 years.

Memorials may be made to New Holland Fire and Rescue Department.

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