Submitted by: Dan Rich
Sept. 20, 1946 - Sept. 1, 2008
South Bend Tribune 9/3/2008
SOUTH BEND - Delvin R. "Del" Plonka, 61, passed
away on Monday, September 1, 2008, in his residence. Del was born
on September 20, 1946, in South Bend, to the late Julius E. and
Irene (Zakrzewski) Plonka. On May 27, 1972, he married
Janice Garrett, who survives along with their two
children, Jason R. (fiancée, Sara Martinez) Plonka and
Jennifer M. Plonka, both of South Bend; four grandchildren, Aaron
of Edwardsburg, MI, Jordan of Granger, IN, Christian of Granger,
IN, and Avry of Granger, IN; and two brothers, Julius (Natalie)
Plonka and David Plonka, both of South Bend. Del worked as a
technician for Ameritech for over 30 years and was a Veterans
Service Officer for 31/2 years. He was a member of St. John the
Baptist Catholic Church, American Legion Post 284, VFW #1954, the
West Side Conservation Club and the St. Joseph Young Men's
Society. He was drafted into the United States Army and went to
OSC to obtain commission. He was a first lieutenant in the Army;
also, he served in Vietnam as an infantry platoon leader and was
awarded a Bronze Star and Combat Infantryman Badge.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today, Sept. 3rd, in ST. JOSEPH FUNERAL HOME, 824 S. Mayflower Road, South Bend. A funeral liturgy will be celebrated on Thursday, Sept. 4th, at 10 a.m. in the funeral home. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, South Bend.