Richard "Dick" Wayne Plattner

A lifelong resident of the community he loved, Richard Plattner was an extraordinary man to know and love. He lived his life with others in mind and was the sort of person who would do anything for anyone in ways both great and small. Dick was a devoted family man, and there was nothing he treasured more than being surrounded by his family that grew to include the children and grandchildren he adored. He was a hardworking man who was well respected in his career, and although he accomplished so much of which to be proud he remained humble and selfless. Deeply loved, Dick will be forever missed.

During the first half of the 1940s, the eyes of our nation were focused overseas as WWII raged on. With the end of the war in 1945, manufacturing was no longer focused on supporting the war effort, and the baby boom was underway. It was also during time of transitioning from being a nation at war to a nation at peace that Kenneth E. and Sylvia L. (Worrick) Plattner were pleased to announce the birth of the baby boy they named Richard on May 21, 1949, in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

In many ways, Dick was a young boy of his generation. He enjoyed going to the farm where he spent time with his cousins as well as things like riding his bike and just being outside. In addition, Dick liked helping his dad with his paper route and learning everything he could about woodworking from his dad as well. He devoted a lot of time to helping care for his cousin, Michael, and with the death of his father when Dick was only 13 years old he stepped in as the man of the house to care for his mom. He attended local schools including Columbia City High School. After graduating in 1967, Dick went on to Sams Technical Institute, which later became ITT.

Not to be forgotten during his formative years was Dicks blossoming romance with the love of his life. Her name was Linda Easterday, and they met when they were four years old since their grandparents were next door neighbors and friends. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, Dick and Linda were married on August 10, 1969, at Eberhard Lutheran Church. Together they were blessed to welcome two children including their son, Bradley, and their daughter, Stephanie Lynn, into their hearts and home. He was actively involved in the lives of his children, and to Bradley and his friends he was nicknamed Homer from the character on The Simpsons. They took family vacations every year, and although they were always educational vacations they were fun as well.

Known for his strong work ethic, Dick started working in production at Dana Weatherhead Plastics Division in 1968. He later became a line supervisor before eventually becoming the plant manager. Later on, Dick transferred to the main office as a qualityengineer, remaining in this position until the company closed under C.F. Gomma in 2004. He went on to retire as a quality supervisor from Coupled Products in 2011. From 2011 on, Dick served as the director of Grace Lutheran Food Pantry. Throughout his career, he always treated his employees as family.

Except for a very small amount of time spent living in Pierceton, Dick was a lifelong resident of Columbia City. He was a member of Fraternal Order of Eagles #1906, American Poolplayers Association, Grace Lutheran Church Mens Breakfast Club, and a former member of the church council. He was deeply dedicated to his church and to his faith, and through the example he set by the way he lived his life he was an excellent role model to numerous others. Generous beyond measure, Dick was more than willing to teach others the skills he knew. He loved shooting pool with his kids on the league. They were quite a talented group as they even went to nationals in Las Vegas. In addition to playing pool, Dick also loved playing golf, woodworking, camping, bowling, and going on cruises. It was a time to remember when their kids sent Dick and Linda on a cruise for their 25th wedding anniversary. In addition to being a Green Bay Packers fan, he loved watching any sports that his son and his grandson were a part of. It was also an exciting time when Dick was being surprised by his loved ones with a birthday party for his 50th birthday. Interestingly, he ended up inviting loads of people to a party that he was supposed to know nothing about! In addition, Dick enjoyed tractor pulls and playing monopoly with his grandson, Dallas. Pop pop, also, loved sampling the many interesting meals created from granddaughter, Sarahs toy kitchen.

With a life that spanned times of great change in the world around him, Richard Dick Plattner had the ability to always see the bright side in every situation. He was hardworking and dedicated to the people and things he was passionate about with a contagious zest for life as well. Dick was usually one to stutter, but it was always easy to tell when he was angry because he wouldnt stutter once in those situations. He treated everyone fairly and was selfless when it came to his family and friends. Life will never be the same without Dick here, but he leaves behind a priceless legacy that his loved ones will forever cherish.

Richard Dick Wayne Plattner, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 5:37 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, 2016, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. Dicks family includes his wife, Linda Plattner of Columbia City; son, Bradley (Shannon) Plattner of Kendallville; grandson, Dallas Jackson Plattner of Kendallville; granddaughter, Sarah Lynn Plattner of Kendallville; and brother-in-law Stephan Easterday of Warsaw. Dick was preceded in death by all of his grandparents; parents, Kenneth and Sylvia Plattner; and daughter, Stephanie Lynn Plattner.

Friends may call on Sunday May 1, 2016, from 2:00-6:00 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive Columbia City. Funeral services for Dick will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday May 2, 2016, at the funeral home, with calling one hour prior. Burial will follow in Hope Lutheran (Union Township) Cemetery, Coesse. Memorial contributions in memory of Dick may be made to Grace Lutheran Church Food Pantry.