GERALD JOSEPH PLEUS
February 14, 1934 ~ November 16, 2012
Gerald Joseph "Jerry" Pleus, 78, of Jefferson City, Missouri, passed away Friday evening, November 16, 2012, at Capitol Region Medical Center, in Jefferson City.
Jerry was born on February 14, 1934, on the family farm in Taos, Missouri, which has been in the Pleus family since 1880. He was the son of the late Joseph Henry and Josephine (Rackers) Pleus.
Jerry attended St. Francis Xavier Catholic School, the one room Liberty School House in Taos, and graduated from Westphalia High School in 1952. He was a 1959 graduate of Lincoln University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.
He volunteered to serve with the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict on May 13, 1953. After completing sixteen months of active duty in Korea and one month in Japan, Jerry served thirty-five years in the Active U.S. Army Reserve, Air Force Reserve and the Missouri Army National Guard. He retired from the Missouri Army National Guard in July, 1990, with more than thirty-seven years of total military service.
He retired in 1994 from the Division of Employment Security as a Research Analyst after 27 years of service and 35 years of total employment with the State of Missouri having also worked for the Public Service Commission and the Department of Revenue. He also worked for a brief time at the National Cash Register company while attending college.
He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1003 and the American Legion. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Jefferson City and the Disabled American Veterans.
Jerry was a devoted father, loved Cardinal baseball, gardening and spending time with his family. He was also very interested in family genealogy and his German heritage.
Survivors include his loving companion Barbara (Gilman) Drinkard of Jefferson City; two daughters, Laurie A. Pleus (fiancee Larry Mertens) and Lisa M. Pleus of Jefferson City; three brothers, Bernie Pleus of Jefferson City, David Pleus of Taos and Leon Pleus of Taos; two sisters, Millie Bernskoetter of Jefferson City and Mary Lee Roberts of Taos; and twenty-seven nieces and nephews. He was married on August 8, 1959, to Carol Schell who lives in Jefferson City.
He was preceded in death by one sister Elizabeth (Betty) Rackers on July 3, 2008, his mother Josephine on January 19, 2005, and his father Joseph on January 15, 1977.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 21, 2012, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
Burial with military honors will be in Resurrection Cemetery.
Visitation will be 4:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, November 20th, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home with a prayer service at 4 p.m.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the American Heart Association, or Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.
Jerry was born on February 14, 1934, on the family farm in Taos, Missouri, which has been in the Pleus family since 1880. He was the son of the late Joseph Henry and Josephine (Rackers) Pleus.
Jerry attended St. Francis Xavier Catholic School, the one room Liberty School House in Taos, and graduated from Westphalia High School in 1952. He was a 1959 graduate of Lincoln University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.
He volunteered to serve with the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict on May 13, 1953. After completing sixteen months of active duty in Korea and one month in Japan, Jerry served thirty-five years in the Active U.S. Army Reserve, Air Force Reserve and the Missouri Army National Guard. He retired from the Missouri Army National Guard in July, 1990, with more than thirty-seven years of total military service.
He retired in 1994 from the Division of Employment Security as a Research Analyst after 27 years of service and 35 years of total employment with the State of Missouri having also worked for the Public Service Commission and the Department of Revenue. He also worked for a brief time at the National Cash Register company while attending college.
He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1003 and the American Legion. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Jefferson City and the Disabled American Veterans.
Jerry was a devoted father, loved Cardinal baseball, gardening and spending time with his family. He was also very interested in family genealogy and his German heritage.
Survivors include his loving companion Barbara (Gilman) Drinkard of Jefferson City; two daughters, Laurie A. Pleus (fiancee Larry Mertens) and Lisa M. Pleus of Jefferson City; three brothers, Bernie Pleus of Jefferson City, David Pleus of Taos and Leon Pleus of Taos; two sisters, Millie Bernskoetter of Jefferson City and Mary Lee Roberts of Taos; and twenty-seven nieces and nephews. He was married on August 8, 1959, to Carol Schell who lives in Jefferson City.
He was preceded in death by one sister Elizabeth (Betty) Rackers on July 3, 2008, his mother Josephine on January 19, 2005, and his father Joseph on January 15, 1977.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 21, 2012, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
Burial with military honors will be in Resurrection Cemetery.
Visitation will be 4:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, November 20th, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home with a prayer service at 4 p.m.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the American Heart Association, or Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.
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Laurie,We’re so sorry to hear about the passing of your father. We hope that you and your family will find peace in the days to come. Sending love and prayers to you.Kathy SpencerSandy Spencer
Laurie,I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that we prayed for your father, you and your family at mass this morning. May Jesus send his spirit to comfort all of you, and send his angels to usher your dad into paradise.
Dear Barb, Laurie, Lisa, Bernie, Dave, Leon, Millie and Mary Lee. Sloan and I want to extend our sympathies to you all and your families over the loss of Jerry. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Lisa and Sloan
Mary Lee; Millie; Dave; Leon; and BernieSo sorry to see and hear about your loss of Jerry. I remember working with him at DES. Please make sure to extend our sympathy to each other sibblings. Nelson and I will be thinking and praying for all of you during this time of loss. Do take care….
Laurie, So sorry for your loss. May God’s love comfort and keep you.
BarbI express my heart felt condolences to you and Jerry’s family. You will miss him dearly. He and you will be in my prayers. I will remember him with that lovely grin on his face. He will forever be in your heartYour friendBetty Edwards
Laurie and Lisa – Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Take care and keep in touch.
Barbara, we are very sorry to hear of Jerry’s passing. We really enjoyed our time being your neighbor on Washington St. May God bless you and the family during this time.
Laurie and Lisa I am so sorry for your loss. You both are in my prayers and I love you both.Ann