Samuel Clifford Plank Jr., 90, of West Liberty, passed away Tuesday, December 7, 2021, at Green Hills in West Liberty, Ohio. He was born on June 21, 1931, in West Liberty, a son of the late Samuel Clarence and Golda Ellen (Yoder) Plank.
On November 10, 1957, Sam married the former Mary Lou Smucker in West Liberty, and she preceded him in death on January 23, 2021. He was also preceded in death by a son-in-law, Neil Hostetler; two sisters, Lydia Elizabeth “Libby” Geil and Sarah Jeanette Hostetler; and a brother, Robert L. Plank.
Sam is survived by five daughters, Pam (Doug) Webb of West Liberty, Sandy (Ed) Muth of Bellefontaine, Lisa (Kim) Fortney of Idaho, Jane (Todd) Steen of California, and Rosie (Brent) Nafziger of Indiana; 11 grandchildren, Cherie (Sig) dela Rama, Heidi (Andy) Myers, Jill (Eric) Foster, Cortney (Nick) Oakley, Jerrod Hostetler, Kevin (Brea) Fortney, Matt (Abbie) Fortney, Zac Steen, Jake Steen, Riley (Nate) Andrews, and Dylan Nafziger; 12 great grandchildren; a sister, Mary Kay King; and many nieces and nephews.
Sam’s greatest accomplishment was his family of 5 little girls whom he taught to love God, love each other, work hard, and have fun. He had a strong work ethic and worked many jobs to provide for his family: dairy farmer, Grimes, WL-S school bus driver, Esch’s Meats, truck driver for Hobart/General Castings, and security guard at ELP Honda for Acrux/Genric from which he retired at age 87. He loved the outdoors being in his bobcat or mower, taking walks or just laying in a chair in the sun, enjoying God’s creation.
There are many stories of ornery Sam in his youth, some he owned up to and others he didn’t. A favorite verse was Psalm 25:7 NIV “Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good.”
Sam was a lifetime member of Bethel Mennonite Church. He was honored to be able to donate his body to The Ohio State University Anatomical Department.
Pastor Rebecca Kauffman will officiate a private memorial service. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in West Liberty, Ohio at a later date.
Memorial contribution may be made, in Sam’s memory, to Green Hills Inn, 6557 U.S. Route 68 S., West Liberty, Ohio 43357 or to Universal Home Health & Hospice, 921 Rush Avenue, Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311.
Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, West Liberty, is honored to serve the Plank family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com.