WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Bernard B. “Benny” Plucinski, 98, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday morning, July 7, 2011, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis.
He was born July 1, 1913, in Buffalo, N.Y., a son of the late John and Anna Plucinski.
Benny had resided in Sturgis most of his life. His early life was lived in Buffalo.
On Nov. 23, 1939, he married Edith E. Tripp in Sturgis. She died Dec. 14, 1996.
He retired from Formed Tubes in Sturgis following 36 years of dedicated employment. Prior to joining Formed Tubes, he had worked at Scoville Manufacturing and the Harter Corporation and for three years he worked at a C.C. Camp in Ludington through the National Forestry Department.
Benny was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Sturgis. He was proud to have served his country during World War II with the U.S. Army as a medic, earning the rank of PFC. He was a life member of Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW and Eagles Lodge #1314. Benny was an avid golfer and on his 90th birthday he scored a hole in one at Green Valley Golf Course in Sturgis. He also enjoyed bowling and golfing.
He is survived by several nieces and nephews, including his primary caregivers, Virginia “Ginny” Rogers of Sturgis, Lelah Palmer of Sturgis and Vicky Klopfenstein of Sturgis.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a son, Richard Plucinski in 1992; sisters Rose Marshal, Helen Burke, Laura Tozer, Frances Murphy and Tillie Murray; and brothers Leo Plucinski, Joe Plucinski, Frank Plucinski and Johnny Plucinski.
The family will receive friends from noon-12:45 p.m. Tuesday at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes — Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, where funeral services celebrating the life of Bernard Plucinski will begin at 1 p.m. The Rev. James Bender of First Baptist Church in Sturgis will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis, where full military honors will be conferred by Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW and the U.S. Army Honor Guard.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Plucinski’s memory consider the charity of one’s choice or Thurston Woods Village, 307 N. Franks Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091.
His obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
