Franklin Julius Klimitchek, 94, of Hallettsville, passed away December 7, 2020, with his two surviving brothers and sister by his side.  He was born August 5, 1926, to Frank and Julia Haidusek Klimitchek on the family farm at Ezzell, the oldest of seven children.

Franklin spent his entire life in the home he was born in, only leaving in the last couple of years for his care.  He attended Ezzell School, riding his horse to school alone at first, as he was oldest, but soon to be followed by his siblings.  He attended school through the sixth grade when he had to stay home to help on the farm, when his father was recovering from a fall.  He never returned to school but all that knew him know that he never stopped studying and learning about the things that interested him.

When Franklin was 19, his father passed away, so he stepped into the role of family patriarch, never marrying, and always looked out for his mother and family for the rest of his life.  He was involved in farming and ranching.  He picked cotton, tomatoes, corn and pecans.  He became very active in growing peanuts as a cash crop on the family farm and in hiring out with his peanut thrashers to custom harvest peanuts all around Ezzell.

Franklin was very interested in the oil and gas Industry.  He was employed at the North Central gas plant below Ezzell and when it closed down worked as a contract gauger for many years.  He always enjoyed family get-togethers with the extended family.  He was the oldest male attendee at the Klimitchek Reunion for the past several years.

Franklin is survived by:   his only sister, Dorothy Klimitchek Horton; two brothers, Carl Klimitchek, & wife Patsy, and O'Daniel Klimitchek; sisters-in-laws, Joyce Klimitchek (Richard) and Rose Klimitchek (Jesse).  He is survived by 18 nieces and nephews, and numerous great and great great nieces and nephews.  He is also survived by numerous cousins and friends, including very good friend, Buddy Hermes.

Franklin was preceded in death by:  his parents, Frank & Julia; brothers, Richard Klimitchek Sr., Jesse Klimitchek, and Alton Klimitchek; sister-in-law Jeanie Klimitchek (Daniel); brother-in-law Wayne Horton Sr.(Dorothy); and nephews, Wayne Horton Jr. and Frankie Klimitchek.

Think of him as living in the hearts of those he touched…

For nothing loved is ever lost - and he was loved so much.

-Ellen Brenneman

Funeral Service (All attendees should wear masks): 11 am, Saturday, December 12, 2020; with Visitation starting at 9 am; at Kubena Funeral Home of Hallettsville. Pallbearers: Welby Horton, Ken Hermes, Ken Klimitchek, David Klimitchek, Randy Klimitchek, and Richard Klimitchek Jr. Honorary Pallbearers: Nieces & Nephews and Great Nieces & Nephews. Officiant: Rev. Scott Hill. Memorials: Donor's Choice. Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery of Hallettsville.