Ray Richard 'Dick' Pletcher
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
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He was born March 6, 1921, in Pierceton, to Ray and Iva Pletcher. On July 14, 1942, he married his wife of 72 years, Letha J. Lentz, who survives in Patriot.
He graduated from Pierceton High School in 1939. A star basketball player in high school, he attended Manchester College. During his sophomore year, he returned to Pierceton to run the family grocery business after the sudden death of his father.
World War II interrupted his family and business life in 1943. He served for more than three years in the U.S. Army, and was stationed on the island of Leyte in the Pacific Theater during his overseas tour of duty. His military service to his country was among his most proud accomplishments. He was the oldest surviving member of the Pierceton American Legion at the time of his death.
He was the third generation to represent the Pletcher family in the retail grocery business. He and Letha, plus scores of employees, operated Pletcher’s IGA Food Center for over 50 years. In 1960, they took the bold step of moving the business from downtown and building a modern, 10,000 sq. ft. store on the south edge of town, where it remained until the 1990s.
He was a passionate member of the community that he grew up in and was one of the many that spent tireless hours promoting it. He and other business owners formed the Pierceton Commercial Club that later became the Chamber of Commerce. He was a 60-plus year member of the Masonic Lodge #337, Eastern Star, American Legion Post #258 and the Pierceton First Presbyterian Church. Later, he regularly attended the Patriot Baptist Church.
Also surviving are his son, Clint (and spouse Cheryl) Pletcher, Carmel; four grandchildren: Sarah (and spouse Scott) Hampton, Rebecca (and spouse Steve) Spears, Tisha (and spouse Joe) Pletcher and Kirstin (and spouse Joe) Cosgrove; and six great-grandchildren: Ava and Lily Hampton, Pearl Spears, Harper and Story Stephens and Declan Cosgrove; and a nephew, Tom (and spouse Vicki) Pletcher. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Paul; and his daughter, Rebecca Pletcher Leonard.
Services will be at a later date. Burial is in Hill Crest Cemetery, Pierceton.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Markland Funeral Home, Rising Sun.
*****
The family asks that a random act of kindness be your remembrance of him.
Condolences may be sent via www.marklandfuneralhome.com
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He was born March 6, 1921, in Pierceton, to Ray and Iva Pletcher. On July 14, 1942, he married his wife of 72 years, Letha J. Lentz, who survives in Patriot.
He graduated from Pierceton High School in 1939. A star basketball player in high school, he attended Manchester College. During his sophomore year, he returned to Pierceton to run the family grocery business after the sudden death of his father.
World War II interrupted his family and business life in 1943. He served for more than three years in the U.S. Army, and was stationed on the island of Leyte in the Pacific Theater during his overseas tour of duty. His military service to his country was among his most proud accomplishments. He was the oldest surviving member of the Pierceton American Legion at the time of his death.
He was the third generation to represent the Pletcher family in the retail grocery business. He and Letha, plus scores of employees, operated Pletcher’s IGA Food Center for over 50 years. In 1960, they took the bold step of moving the business from downtown and building a modern, 10,000 sq. ft. store on the south edge of town, where it remained until the 1990s.
He was a passionate member of the community that he grew up in and was one of the many that spent tireless hours promoting it. He and other business owners formed the Pierceton Commercial Club that later became the Chamber of Commerce. He was a 60-plus year member of the Masonic Lodge #337, Eastern Star, American Legion Post #258 and the Pierceton First Presbyterian Church. Later, he regularly attended the Patriot Baptist Church.
Also surviving are his son, Clint (and spouse Cheryl) Pletcher, Carmel; four grandchildren: Sarah (and spouse Scott) Hampton, Rebecca (and spouse Steve) Spears, Tisha (and spouse Joe) Pletcher and Kirstin (and spouse Joe) Cosgrove; and six great-grandchildren: Ava and Lily Hampton, Pearl Spears, Harper and Story Stephens and Declan Cosgrove; and a nephew, Tom (and spouse Vicki) Pletcher. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Paul; and his daughter, Rebecca Pletcher Leonard.
Services will be at a later date. Burial is in Hill Crest Cemetery, Pierceton.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Markland Funeral Home, Rising Sun.
*****
The family asks that a random act of kindness be your remembrance of him.
Condolences may be sent via www.marklandfuneralhome.com
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