John Pletscher 1927 - 2004

PLETSCHER, MURPHY, MILLER, RAY, CANTRELL

Posted By: A.M.W. (email)
Date: 5/16/2006 at 12:47:52

John A. Pletscher, 76, of Donnellson, died at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2004, at Fort Madison Community Hospital.

Born Sept. 13, 1927, in Donnellson, he was the son of John Isaac and Annabelle Murphy Pletscher. On Jan. 21, 1979, he married Janet Miller in Mexico, Mo.

Mr. Pletscher was a member of the Lee County Fair Board for many years and served as president. He was instrumental in acquiring the labor and materials for the 4-H building at the fairgrounds. He was a member of Donnellson Presbyterian Church, helped with 4-H and FFA, was a member of the Lee County Conservation Board, past president and member of the Donnellson Lions Club, helped form Green Acres Country Club and worked in the kitchen. The first colt he raised was a World Champion Mare in 1970 and he has since had many years of success in horse management. He served on the Tri-State Rodeo Committee, where he provided many stars with horses to ride in the grand entry of the Fort Madison rodeo. He announced the Lee County Demolition Derby for many years at the Lee County Fair. He was a graduate of Donnellson High School and was a World War II Army veteran. He was a member of Gillaspie-Moodie American Legion Post No. 474.

Survivors include his wife; one son, John J. Pletscher of Kissimmee, Fla.; one daughter, Sandra Ray of Fort Madison; one stepson, Gregory Colyer of Wayland, Mich.; one stepdaughter, Lorna Cantrell of Donnellson; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one niece, one nephew and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, one granddaughter and one great-niece.

Visitation will be from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday at Hofbauer-Schmitz-Lynk Funeral Home in Donnellson, where the family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

A memorial service for Mr. Pletscher will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Hofbauer-Schmitz-Lynk Funeral Home, with the Rev. Judy Holcomb officiating. Following the memorial there will be a flag presentation by the Gillaspie-Moodie American Legion Post No. 474.

A memorial has been established for the Donnellson Ball Association.