Harold "Red" Eugene Plack

Red was born on June 19, 1940 in Douglas, IL, to Martin Dean and Helen Louise (Simkins) Plack. He graduated from Yates City High School then attended the University of Illinois and Illinois State University. Red married Janet E. McKeighan (Dress) on Jul 15th, 1978 in Douglas, Illinois.

Upon his marriage to Janet, Red became the loving father to two sons James and Michael McKeighan. He later became the beloved father-in-law to Mary “Renee” (Blakey) McKeighan (James) and Teri (Ingram) McKeighan (Michael). Best known and very much loved as “Papa Red”, he was a very loving and active grandfather and great-grandfather to James and Renee’s two daughters Erin (Jon) Orr and their two sons, and Kara (Daniel) Harmon and their daughter and son, and to Michael and Teri’s five children, Megan (Alicia) McKeighan, Ryan (Kayla) McKeighan, Allison (Brad) Flessner, Matt and Ben Hagen and their 12 children collectively.

Red was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Bob Plack and Don Plack.

He leaves one brother Tom (Sue) Plack, one sister Louise (Mike) Reinhart, one sister-in-law Barb (Bob Anderson) Plack, along with many nieces and nephews that very much love their “Uncle Red”.

Red grew up a very humble, hard-working and caring man which served him, his loved ones, friends and others well, from his childhood days on the family farm in central Illinois, high school and college, to serving in the U.S. Army and later working on the railroad and retiring from a very successful career at Caterpillar in Peoria. Red was also a long serving member of the American Legion.

Red and Janet loved to travel domestically and internationally. But this always came second to spending time with their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews and entire family. One big family highlight has been the annual Plack-Simkins picnic.

Red’s entire family would like to express our sincere thanks to the entire Lutheran Hillside Village team, who always treated Red as family and always went above and beyond with his care.

Red’s wishes were for a small graveside funeral for his immediate family which will be Saturday, August 23, 2025 at Springdale Cemetery in Peoria.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made in Red's memory to Michael J Fox Foundation and Tunnels to Towers Foundation. For ease of submitting your donations, they can be mailed to Lutheran Hillside Village at 6901 N Galena Rd, SPC 1314 Peoria IL 61614.