Howard M. Plocher
Howard M. Plocher, age 93, longtime Shelby resident, died Sunday, March 11, 2012 at the Crestwood Care Center in Shelby.
He was born June 2, 1918 in North Baltimore, OH the son of the late Jacob and Mary (Eiting) Plocher. Howard graduated from North Baltimore High School and received his Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Business Education from Bowling Green State University. He was a veteran of the United States Coast Guard serving during World War II.
Howard was employed by the Shelby City School System from 1946-1983 having taught business courses for 23 years and retiring as the clerk of the Board of Education. During his many years in education, Howard was especially proud of his years of coaching eighth grade football and the friendships he made with the many students into their adulthood. He and his wife, Eileen, were very active members of the First Presbyterian Church in Shelby where he was an elder. He and Eileen traveled extensively, volunteered for Meals on Wheels and were honored together with the Jess Rath Christian Service Award. Howard had many hobbies and interests including gardening and cooking. He was best known for his many flowers that he planted around his home and for the delicious pies he baked and shared with many family and friends. However, his greatest joy came from spending time with his family.
On April 23, 1948, Howard married the love of his life, Eileen Handley and together they raised
4 children who survive: Susie (Ernie) Borgelt of Pittsburgh, Beth Plocher (Janet Longman) of Dayton, Lisa (Les) Clabaugh of Mansfield, and Todd (Jody) Plocher of Salem; Also surviving are 8 grandchildren: Andy Borgelt, Emily (Joe) Carmody, Katy (Mike) Medley, Brad Clabaugh, Jake Clabaugh, Levi Plocher, Kirsten Plocher, and Sam Plocher; 5 great grandchildren: Owen Carmody, Colin Carmody, Leah Medley, Laura Medley and another Carmody child on its way. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Eileen Plocher in 2006; 3 sisters: Gladys Sponsler, Marie Baker, and Mary Louise Breyman; and by 1 brother: Harold Plocher.
Friends may call on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby. Funeral services will be on Thursday at 11 AM at the First Presbyterian Church in Shelby conducted by Rev. Brad McBee, Deacon Steven C. Keller and Phil Pearson. Burial will be in Mansfield Memorial Park with military honors conducted by the Joint Veterans Burial Detail. Memorial expressions may be made to the Eileen Plocher Memorial Scholarship Fund, a scholarship for a Shelby High graduate majoring in education. To share a memory or to send a condolence please visit
penwellturner.com
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Family: Howard Plocher
Name: Mary Burns and Rita Musacchia
Date: 12-03-12
Condolence:
Beth and Janet…Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time. We know you took good care of your dad these past few years. He is at peace now. Take care…..
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Family: Howard Plocher
Name: Karen Barnett, RSD Elmcroft of Ontario
Date: 12-03-12
Condolence:
To the Plocher Family:
My deepest sympathy in the passing of Howard. I’m sure there is a great void in your family. Fill it with the love he has left behind. Keep the good times and memories with you to help you through the days ahead. My prayers are with you during such a difficult time. We loved Howard dearly when he was with us at Elmcroft. You were a great supportive family to him. May God bring you peace and comfort.
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Family: Howard Plocher
Name: Steve & Barb Peebles
Date: 12-03-12
Condolence:
Our prayers and condolences to all of you. What a special person Howard was for all who knew him. While it was a great loss when he was no longer working with students, he brought an important element of precision and accountability to his treasurer role. He was a valuable asset to Shelby City Schools!
Lynn Peebles was blessed to have worked for Howard for several years. She constantly shared positive comments about how great it was working in an office under Howard’s leadership.
Please know that it is very disturbing to us that we will not be able to attend calling hours or the funeral. Please also know that it has been hard writing this with tears in my eyes…but, with so many wonderful memories flooding me as well!
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Family: Howard Plocker
Name: Dean & Jane Johnston
Date: 12-03-13
Condolence:
Please accept our sincere condolences for the loss of Howard. Only a few teachers profoundly influence ones early development. Howard will be remember by many of his students as one of those few, Jane and I included. As a family friend and teacher we both were the recipient of his wisdom and when needed his candid straight talk. For those of us who had the privilege of playing for him on his “Plocker Knockers” what a great beginning to SHS football. Jane has wonderful family memories of attending church with the Plocker’s. Howard was a wonderful man who made a positive difference with the many he touched throughout his life. He certainly will be missed.
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Family: Howard Plocher
Name: Charles, Margaret, Phyllis Barker
Date: 12-03-13
Condolence:
We were very sorry to hear about your dad.
Our sincere sympathy to Beth, Janet and family.
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Family: Howard Plocher
Name: Stephanie Payne-Triplett
Date: 12-03-13
Condolence:
Susie, so sorry to read about your Father. I will always remember your parents from school. They were wonderful people. Your Mother always had a smile on her face and your Dad would always speak even if you were not in one of his classes. I loved riding past their house on East Main, so I could admire it. It was always well manicured. And the flowers looked like something in a painting from the past. I will always think of that house as the Plocher house. May they both Rest In Peace.
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Family: Howard Plocher
Name: Brad and Lori Cooper
Date: 12-03-13
Condolence:
We want to offer our sincere condolences to Beth (and Janet) as well as the rest of your family in the loss of your father. In so many ways, Beth has touched our lives in an amazing positive light. Throughout her career, she had the opportunity to touch and affect the direction of so many young people. That does not come without amazing guidance. It is obvious that the life of this man (Howard) shines through Beth. She is loving and compassionate with whomever comes in contact. Even though we never had the chance to meet your father, his spirit and life lives on through you – we are happy to have met him in that way. He now has moved to a better place – may God comfort you and wrap his arms around you – we love you VERY MUCH!
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Family: Howard Plocher
Name: Jill Humphrey
Date: 12-03-13
Condolence:
Lisa and all of the Plocher family,
I am so very sorry for you loss.
Your parents were both such wonderful people and I pray for comfort for all of you.
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Family: howard Plocher
Name: deb grimwood
Date: 12-03-13
Condolence:
Lisa and Les and family, Im so sorry for your loss, just want to say my thoughts and prayers our with you at this difficult time, take care.
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Family: Howard Plocker
Name: Sharron and Bill Wilkins, Westlake, Oh
Date: 12-03-13
Condolence:
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this sad time. Howard touched many lives during his teaching years and beyond. We are much better for him having been part of our lives.
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Family: howard plocher
Name: lynn guerin
Date: 12-03-13
Condolence:
Howard holds a special place in my heart because of the wonderful man he was , the great coach he was and the fine example he set.He did more to prepare young men in shelby for the challenges they would face in high school and in life than any one i can recall.He was a man of grace , patience strength,encouragement and fine moral character. He was the kind of man we were all challenged to try to become. WHEN I THINK OF COACH PLOCHER, I THINK OF THE WORDS TO A POEM CALLED 500 HUNDERD BOYS:
BECAUSE OF YOU 500 BOYS HAVE GROWN TO MEN
THEY TOOK THE GOLDEN WORDS YOU SPOKE AND GAVE THEM LIFE AGAIN.
BECAUSE OF YOU, 500 HUNDRED BOYS HAVE WALKED THE WALK
THEY WATCHED THE CAREFUL, CAUTIOUS WAY YOU PRACTICED ALL YOUR TALK.
BECAUSE OF YOU , 500 HUNDERD BOYS HAVE LEARNED TO GIVE;
THEY WATCHED THE SACRIFICING, SELFLESS ,GRACIOUS WAY YOU LIVED.
BECAUSE OF YOU, 500 BOYS, CAN TEACH OUR YOUTH;
THEY SAW THE THE DETAILED, THOUROUGH, LOVING WAYS YOU DRILLED THE TRUTH.
BECAUSE OF YOU 500 HUNDRED BOYS, FOUND A PATH FOR SUCCESS;
THEY SAW YOU STRIVE TO BE YOUR BEST AND SPURN THE TIREDNESS.
BECAUSE OF YOU 500 BOYS, BEGAN TO LEARN TO LEAD;
YOU LEAD US BY EXAMPLE, YOU KNEW IT WAS WHAT WE WOULD NEED.
BECAUSE OF YOU ,500 BOYS BEGAN TO GROW IN GRACE;
YOU PUT US ON A PATH, TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.
500 BOYS SAY THANK YOU COACH FOR ALWAYS BEING SO FERVENT;
YOU HAVE EARNED THE MASTERS HIGHEST PRAISE, WELL DONE MY FAITHFUL SERVANT.
TO OUR COACH WITH LOVE
LYNN GUERIN
CLASS 65/66
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Family: Howard Plocher
Name: Dave & Linda Spangler
Date: 12-03-13
Condolence:
Mr. Plocher had a tremendous influence on so many lives. We admired him greatly. Our prayers are with all of you.
Dave & Linda Spangler
(A Proud Plocher’s Knocker)
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Family: howard plocher
Name: lisa weidner
Date: 12-03-13
Condolence:
i took care of howard while i worked at elmcroft of ontario. he and spent many hours over those 2 years talking, laughing, hearing stories from him. he was my favorite resident and i missed him very much when i left elmcroft. my daughter raine would also like to visit howard and not just because he always had a drawer full of candy that he insisted we all enjoy. howard was one of the nicest, kindest, men i have ever met. i will miss his smile and i miss making him laugh.
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Family: Howard Plocher
Name: Elizabeth Ellis Watkins
Date: 12-03-13
Condolence:
I am so sorry to hear about your Dad dying, but I know that he is happy in Heaven with your Mother as I write this. He was a kind, thoughtful person, and will be missed by his family and hundreds and hundreds of friends. I pray that God give you comfort as you go through the years without him.
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Family: Mr. Plocher
Name: Bill & Meredith Longman
Date: 12-03-13
Condolence:
Beth, Mere and I have been thinking of you and your family these last couple of days. There are no words to make the loss of a parent any easier. Now your Dad has fair winds and following seas ahead of him. Love Bill
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Family: Howard M. Plocher
Name: Jim, Lynn, & Keliah
Date: 12-03-14
Condolence:
Neighbors,
May peace be with you. We will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
2 Tim 4:7-8 (NRSV)
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Family: Howard Plocher
Name: Bob Fisher
Date: 12-03-14
Condolence:
Dear Family of Howard Plocher. Please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of Howard. You are all very lucky to have had Howard as a father. He was a great man. He was my 8th grade football coach as well as the man who taught me to type, a skill I still use 45 years later as a sports writer. Men like him don’t come along very often. I am thankful I had him in my life and I know he made a difference in my life.
BOB FISHER
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Family: Howard Plocher
Name: Rick and Susan Fisher
Date: 12-03-15
Time: 03:29:44 -0500
Condolence:
I will always remember Coach as an outstanding gentleman who touched the lives of so many young men. He started the careers{including mine} of many Shelby football players and helped shape our lives forever. He will truly be missed!
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Family: Howard Plocher
Name: Dave McQuown
Date: 12-03-15
Condolence:
Lisa,
Our sympathies to you and your family in the passing of your father. I first met Howard during my fall classroom observations prior to student teaching from AU. He was a positive influence on my teaching career, and later as a friendly neighbor on East Main. I also enjoyed reminiscing with him at Elmcroft. He will be missed.
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Family: Howard Plocher
Name: Chuck Giller
Date: 12-03-15
Condolence:
Condolences to the Plocher Family. I was just telling a story to someone yesterday about your father, then see the notice in the Globe today. The story was that after Dad died, Howard and my Mom worked out a system that if she were OK each morning, she would put a window shade up and so your folks would know all was good. What great neighbors. I actually visited Shelby this fall for my 40th reunion and walked around the house, up and down the alley reliving old memories. What a great time and town to grow up in. Like many have mentioned, your Dad was my coach and teacher also, but not many know what a great gardener he was. Biggest garden I have ever seen. Many fond memories, one summer we even rode to work everyday to the Tuby. What a long productive life he had. Best wishes to you all.
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Family: Howard Plocher
Name: Genny Roberts Reed
Date: 12-03-15
Condolence:
I would like to offer my condolences to the family of Mr. Plocher. He was my teacher in high school and I was his student secretary during my junior and senior years. He was a wonderful person and teacher and always believed in me and encouraged me. I am now an Ombudsman Specialist Volunteer with Ohio Dept. of Aging and I have visited him weekly at Elmcroft of Ontario and Mifflin and Crestwood nursing homes. He loved talking about Eileen and his family and shared the family photos in his room with great pride. He always insisted his visitors and staff that assisted him stop at his “candy drawer” before leaving his room. I am sorry I wasn’t able to attend his services, but due to a freak accident I am unable to. I felt fortunate to be able to visit with him during his last years. I never heard anyone say anything bad about him for he was a true gentleman that cared about others. I was happy to have met his daughters Lisa and daughter and son-in-law, Susie and Ernie. He loved all of you so much. My heart goes out to all of you in your loss. Genny Reed
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Family: Howard Plocher
Name: Laura Nell Obaugh
Date: 12-03-26
Condolence:
Many years have passed, but memories of Howard and Eileen and their family continue to warm my heart. We served together in the Presbyterian Church and the Board of Education but, most of all, the loving closeness of this family touched my life and will continue to bless the lives of their