William L. Plant

William L. Plant 91, of Fort Wayne, passed away Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at St. Anne Home. Born in Fowler Indiana, May 1, 1921, our father was the son of William and Lillian Plant. Dad enjoyed the small Hoosier farm town upbringing with his two sisters, Leah and Doris. As a boy, Dad played baseball, shot pool and worked at his dad’s gas station. He read books by authors such as Zane Grey that inspired his life long love of the great outdoors…and maps!! These interests would later be carried forward by many of his children. In 1942 Dad enlisted in the Army and flew on B-24s and B-25s with the Army Air Corps in the South Pacific during World War II as a radar operator. After the war, work brought Dad to Fort Wayne and he spent many years as a Photo engraver (LPIU) with Lincoln Engraving and at the Fort Wayne Newspapers. He married our mother Doris Doust in 1950 and they raised eight children: Robert (Linda), Edward (Pam), John (Lorie), Jim (Jen Shoup), Mary Tonne (Kevin), Thomas (Kim), Jerry (Dawn) and Joanne Mannes (Peter). As charter members of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Dad and Mom were involved in many church activities over their 50 year membership. Dad volunteered with the Boy Scouts, 26 years with CYO Track, St. Patrick’s Food Pantry, the Election Board, Knights of Columbus Council 451 and ushered at Church. In retirement, Mom and Dad traveled, volunteered, enjoyed winters in sunny Gulf Shores, AL, and spent summer days at the family lake cottage in northern Indiana. Dad enjoyed the love and respect of his children, 20 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren (who loved his firm handshakes). His friends were many and his faith in God was firm. We would like to thank St Anne’s Courtyard Club who enriched his life over the last several years. Dad is preceded in death his wife Doris, his son Tom, and his sister, Leah Windler. Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 am Friday, April 12, 2013 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 4916 Trier Rd. with calling one hour prior. Visitation is 3:30-4:30 pm Thursday at St. Anne Home, 1900 Randallia Dr. Donations may be made to the St. Charles Borromeo Tuition Assistance Fund or St. Patrick Food Pantry. www.klaehnfahlmelton.com