1914-2007

Joseph Maxillian Pleva

Visitation will be held today, June 14, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay, and from 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Mary’s Parish in Lake Leelanau, with a Rosary to be prayed at 8 p.m., for Joseph Maxillian Pleva of Lake Leelanau who died June 11. He was 92.
He was born Sept. 13, 1914, in Traverse City, the son of Roman and Susan (Fleis) Pleva. On May 18, 1937, at St. Mary’s Parish in Lake Leelanau, he married Marcella Plamondon who preceded him in death on Oct. 2, 1997.

He spent most of his life as a carpenter specializing in cabinet making and did extensive work at St. Mary’s where he built the altars and remodeled the altar area. From 1978 to 1998, he wintered in Groveland, Fla. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, as well as a member of St. Mary’s in the choir and as an usher. He was the first president of the Leelanau Catholic Credit Union. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, gardener, mushroom hunter, bingo and card player.

He is survived by his daughters, Patricia L. Priest of Traverse City, Sandra K. (Don) DeLuca of Alaska, Mich.; a son, Gerard (Betty Lou) Pleva of Pentwater; 11 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Clara Stachnik Steusel; and brothers, Lawrence, Gerald and Thomas Pleva.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, June 15, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Parish. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Mass Intentions and/or St. Mary’s Schools, P.O. Box 340, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653.