1924-2008

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Tuesday at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Isadore for life long Cedar resident Richard Joseph Pleva who died March 21 at Munson Medical Center. He was 83.

He was born in Cedar on June 20, 1924, to Stephen W. and Josephine A. (Witkowski) Pleva. On June 10, 1950, he married Patricia Ann Mikowski, who survives.

He graduated from Holy Rosary School in 1942, the first valedictorian at Holy Rosary. He then attended business school and later served in the Army. He worked at Parsons in Traverse City for more than 20 years, making helicopter blades, and was a cherry farmer. He served Centerville Township in several elected and appointed positions for nearly 40 years. He enjoyed playing euchre, the violin, dancing and listening to polka music. He was member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church his entire life.

He is also survived by his children, Dale F. (Katrina) Pleva, Denise M. (Fred Campbell) Peplinski and Tina L. (Nick) Kohler, all of Cedar, Duane J. (Tricia Fenlon) Pleva of Kalkaska; a sister, Cecilia L. Dunklow of Lake Leelanau; 17 grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Holy Rosary Food Pantry c/o Rita Wilson, or the Solon/Centerville Fire Department.