Obit: Plautz, George James, Sr. (1918 - 2014)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Plautz, Popovic, Mornson, Felix, Zamarripa, Krempasky, Brice

----Source: Marshfield News-Herald (Marshfield, Wood Co, WI) 1/23/2014 (On-line)

Plautz, George James, Sr. (18 March 1918 - 21 January 2014)

George James Plautz, Sr., age 95, died on January 21, 2014, at Golden Living Center in Marshfield.

George was born in a log cabin on March 18, 1918, to Steven and Mary (Popovic) Plautz in Hendren Township near Willard, Wisconsin. He attended North Willard School through the 8th grade, foregoing further education to help his widowed mother on the farm. He also worked for his brothers, who had started a sand and gravel business called Plautz Bros. George proudly served his country during World War II in the army as a searchlight operator in the South Pacific Theatre.

After the war, he resumed working for his brothers until the company was sold in 1979. George and his brother, Joe, continued to sell and haul gravel on a smaller scale for a number of years. During his retirement years, George enjoyed gardening and planting trees at his home and on the 40 acres he owned in the country affectionately referred to as "The Ranch." He and his wife, Ellen, also spent many winters in Florida, living next door to George's sister, Angeline.

George married Frances Podrovitz in 1946, and they had one son, George Jr. Frances passed away from a brain hemorrhage during her second pregnancy. In 1955 George married Ellen (nee Mornson) Felix, a widow with three children. They subsequently had two children.

George was a proud member of the American Legion, serving in various roles, such as Commander, Chaplain and Historian. He joined the drill team in 1958. He was also a member of the 40&8, VFW, Rock Dam Rod & Gun Club, Slovenian American Union, American Slovenian Catholic Union, Slovenska Druzba and the Knights of Columbus.

George is survived by his wife, Ellen; children, George, Laurie (Alex) Zamarripa and Gigi; stepchildren, Noel Felix, Meda (Jerome) Krempasky, and John (Trixie) Felix; four grandchildren, six step-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren. He is further survived by one sister, Rosaline and sister-in-law, Marge (Emil) Plautz. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Frances and unborn child, siblings, Steve, John, Joe, Frank, Mike, Angeline, Helen, Ann, Mary, Sophie, and Emil, one grandchild and one step-grandchild.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 25, 2014, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Greenwood, with Father Steve Brice celebrating the mass. Visitation will be one hour prior to Mass at the church. Military Honors rendered by the Greenwood American Legion will be immediately following mass and burial to be held later at the church cemetery.

Chippewa Valley Cremation Services is serving the family. Online condolences and memories online may be made at: www.chippewavalleycremation.com.