Richard "Rich" Plangger

February 8, 1923 - May 25, 2013

Richard “Rich” E. Plangger, 90, of St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, May 25, 2013, at Caretel Inns of Royalton in St. Joseph. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, May 31 at the Scottdale United Methodist Church, 4271 Scottdale Road, in St. Joseph with Elder Yvonne Hester officiating. Military Rites will conclude the service. A memorial visitation will be held Thursday evening from 5:00 until 8:00 at the Dey-Florin Funeral Home, 2506 Niles Ave., in St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to either Scottdale UMC or to the Lakeshore Youth Baseball/Softball Association. Messages of condolence may be sent to www.florin.net. Rich was born February 8, 1923, in St. Joseph and was a life-long member of the community. He was one of five children born to Tobias and Lena Plangger. Rich proudly served his country during WWII in the U.S. Army and was a driver for General Dwight D. Eisenhower. Rich will be remembered by many for his involvement in the community in the area of competitive softball. He was owner of Plangger’s Furniture in Benton Harbor since 1952. Rich was a member in the National and Michigan Softball Halls of Fame as a pitcher and sponsor. Additionally, Rich was inducted into the LMC Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007 as a contributor and volunteer. His teams which represented Plangger Furniture competed in numerous state and national men’s fast-pitch softball tournaments. Rich’s sponsored teams have been competing since 1956. In 1973, he purchased and developed a softball field – Plangger’s Park - in Benton Township. Rich also enjoyed bowling (was a member of the Bowling Hall of Fame) and polka dancing. Rich is survived by his sons, Rick (Joni) Plangger of St. Joseph and Scott (Amy) Plangger of Bloomington, IL; grandchildren, Meg (Chris) Johnson of Seattle, Ricky Plangger of Houston, Brock Plangger of St. Joseph, Eli Plangger of Chicago and Jake and Olivia Plangger of Bloomington, IL; two great-grandchildren, David and Grant Johnson; special friend, Ann Arent; long-time employee, Amos Ray, III; and by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his parents, Rich was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth in 2000; his daughter, Jill; and by his siblings, Hattie Zebell, Art Plangger, Florence Youngblood, and Erna Sinn.