Frederick W. Plothe

Frederick W. Plothe , 75, of Decatur, formerly of Ft. Wayne passed away at 10:33 p.m. on Friday, May 11, 2018 at Lutheran Hospital in Ft. Wayne surrounded by those who loved him most.

Born May 5, 1943 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Fred was the son of the late Arthur F. Plothe and the late Ruby G. (Bennett) Plothe.

After graduating from South Side High School, Fred served honorably in the United States Marine Corps. from 1962-1966, completing basic training in Pendleton, California, and was later stationed in Okinawa, Japan where he served as a tank mechanic with hopes of becoming a member of the military police. He rose to the rank of corporal, and was immensely proud of his service. After he left the Marines in 1966, he briefly attended college on the GI bill and later began an apprenticeship at Central Soya in Decatur. After two years there, he started his career at Tokheim Corporation as a millwright. From 1974 until 2003, Fred worked at a position he dearly loved, joking when the factory closed, he "was the last one to turn out the lights."

Fred was an avid crossword puzzler, played softball for decades in the church softball league, and was a passionate fan of the Purdue Boilermakers, often traveling to far flung stadiums to cheer on his Boilers. He was a long time member of the Church of God in Decatur, and most recently of New Hope Church also in Decatur. Fred loved to sing hymns, and karaoke, and often performed on worship teams and in church theatre productions. Among his philanthropic endeavors, he volunteered tirelessly for a number years with Love Inc. in Decatur, and participated in mission trips rebuilding churches in Jamaica and Haiti, and the Hope Hill Orphanage in Kentucky.

Survivors include former spouse, Phyllis (Singleton) Plothe, of Decatur; his son, Dr. Theodore "Theo" W. Plothe (Dr. Amber M. Buck) of Tuscaloosa, AL; daughter, Letitia Jen (Plothe) Ntomchukwu, of Chicago, IL; and sisters, Karen Sue Kendrick, of Ft. Wayne, and Janey L. Green, of Ft. Wayne. He was preceded in death by his brother, Gerald H. Linn; and brothers-in-law, William Kendrick and Jack D. Green.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, May 14, 2018 at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur.

Military Services will be conducted by the American Legion Post #43 Color Guard at 4:00 p.m. Monday at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home.

According to wishes, he will be cremated.

In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials may be made to Love Inc. and New Hope Church.