J. Plank

J. Darrell Plank, 85, of West Liberty, Ohio, passed away Thursday, January 15, 2009, in Green Hills Center. He was born in Logan County on September 14, 1923. Darrell was the son of the late Joe S. and Gertrude Yoder Plank. On February 4, 1945, he married Mary Kathryn (Kate) Grimes and she survives in West Liberty. They were married 64 years.

Darrell retired from The Ohio Department of Transportation and was a Logan County farmer. He is survived by sons: Allen (Karen) Plank of West Liberty; Larry (Cindy) Plank of West Liberty; Joe Plank of Bellefontaine; daughters: Kendra (Don) Westfall of Bellefontaine; Neva Cramer of Bellefontaine; Leanne (Duane) Fry of Bellefontaine; sisters: Betty Lehman of West Liberty; Jean Miller of Washington D.C.; Josephine Plank of California; and 8 grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren; 8 step great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by a sister, Emma Lou Hostetler.

Darrell was a United States Navy Veteran and a 1941 graduate of West Liberty High School. He was a member of the West Liberty Lions Club, Miami Valley Steam Thrashers Association, and the American Legion. He was an avid bowler, the head cook, and called governor at the Grimes Summitt for many years. Darrell was affectionately called “Big D” by his family and friends.

Visitation will be Sunday, January 18, 2009, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Kauffman Eichholtz Funeral Home in West Liberty. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 19, 2009, at the funeral home with Rusty Shafer presiding. Interment is in Fairview Cemetery West Liberty. Memorial contributions may be given to the donor’s favorite charity.

Condolences to the family may be expressed at eichholtz@embarqmail.com

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