Donald "Bud" Plemitscher 1931 -2001

I got the phone call as I was driving into Indianapolis traffic on Tuesday morning. Bud's nurse said that he was "actively dying," and would probably pass within the hour. He died at 9:46 AM CDT, as I was exiting for the airport.

I had said my goodbye the night before. In his darkened room, as he lay dozing, I whispered to him that I was leaving in the morning; that I would take care of Bill and Carolyn; that it was okay for him to lay down his burden, and there was nothing to worry about.

I am glad he went peacefully, and without the gruesomeness of an artery blowout. Amy said that he went to sleep without regaining full consciousness.

Bill and Carolyn are handling it well, having expected this for a long time. Bill wrote me a sweet note, saying that who could have imagined that the California girl his father met in Maxie's trailer park in Broussard, Louisiana 30 years ago, would be his last visitor as he lay dying.

Here is the obituary I wrote for my father-in-law:

Donald "Bud" Plemitscher
1931-2011

Born in Springfield, IL, the third of four children of George Sr. and Frieda (Kluge) Plemitscher. Served with the First Marine Division in the Korean War, earning 3 battle stars. Upon discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps, he married Elsie Anne Valentine of Greenfield, IL in 1954. They were married for 55 years, until Anne's death in 2009.

Bud worked as an auto mechanic at several dealerships in Greenfield and Jacksonville; at Carnation in the maintenance department; freelance welding and refrigeration work in Central IL; and as a Journeyman Electrician in California, Texas, Florida and Louisiana. Bud and Anne then ran My Place (a food concession trailer) at Illinois fairs and festivals in their "retirement."

Bud survived throat cancer in 1987. People who met him since then will remember that he spoke with a prosthetic larnyx. His cancer returned in 2009, but he continued to enjoy life--playing music, spending time with family and friends, and riding his motor scooter around Jacksonville.

An accomplished musician, Mr. Plemitscher played electric bass and guitar, banjo, and especially accordions, many of which he electrified. He attended Grace Methodist church, was a member of both the VFW and American Legion, and served on many funeral details for fellow veterans.

He is survived by a brother, Robert (Nadine) of Long Beach, CA; a sister, Louise, of Florrissant, MO; his children, Carolyn (Scott Neilson) of Arvada, CO and William (Pamela Sink) of Rogersville, TN; his 3 grandchildren, Juliana and Alex Plemitscher, both of Seattle, WA, and Claire Neilson of Arvada, CO. His oldest brother George Jr, predeceased him.

Donald and Anne's ashes will be interred together at Camp Butler National Cemetery, and a graveside service is planned for a future date.

Rest in peace, Dad. You fought long and hard, and now you are with your beloved Anne.