Ben Plachta

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Ben Plachta, 81, of South Haven, passed away Monday, August 31, 2020 at Borgess Ascension Hospital in Kalamazoo.  He was born July 15, 1939 to Ben J. and Helen (Witrykus) Plachta in Chicago, Illinois.  Ben married Patricia Killeen on May 21, 1960 at St. Anthony De Padua Roman Catholic Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  They shared 45 years of marriage before her passing in 2005.

Ben served in the United States Navy for four years.  He retired as manager from Michigan Bell Telecommunications where he worked for 35 years.  Ben loved boating. He was a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 18-01 beginning in 1972 to the present.  Ben was a member of the Riverbend Boat Club beginning in 1975 and served as Commodore of the Riverbend Boat Club for sixteen consecutive years to the present.  He was a member of St Basil Catholic Church where he participated in various activities for many years.

He is preceded in death along with his parents, his wife – Patricia Plachta and a grandson – Jeremy Plachta.

Ben is survived by his children – John (Diane)Plachta of Crown Point, Indiana, Chris (Anne Marie) Plachta of Kalamazoo, Michigan and Michelle (Kevin) Miller of Greensburg, Pennsylvania; eight grandchildren – Sydney (Jake) VanSpyker, Ryan (Melissa) Plachta, Kyle Plachta, Tyler Plachta, Dylan (Emma) Plachta, Ashley Miller, Riley Miller and Brantly Miller.  Great grandchildren – Austin and Addilynn.  Sisters – Helene (Edward) Szostak of Bolingbrook, Illinois; Kathleen (Robert) Valkner of Battle Creek and Mary Ann (Phillip) Leman of Bremen, Indiana.  Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday, September 4, 2020 and also on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 5 outside at the funeral home with Father Jim Morris and Father Mitch Pacwa officiating. Ben will be laid to rest at Lake View Cemetery in South Haven. Memorial contributions may be made to USCG Auxiliary Association designated for 09W-33-01 South Haven MI Flotilla, 9449 Watson Industrial Park, St. Louis, MO 63126.
The family has made arrangements to accommodate social distancing so everyone can attend the viewing, service and luncheon.

Posted On: Wednesday, September 2, 2020 3:08 PM