John Plankenhorn

John Michael Plankenhorn, 69, of Thornville, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 15, 2013 surrounded by his family and close friends. He was born on May 6, 1944 in Akron, Ohio to the late John H. and Marian Plankenhorn. Mike attended Cuyahoga Falls High School and graduated from Ontario High School in 1962. Mike also attended The Ohio State University. Mike spent a lifelong career in sales with several companies most notably Sohio, Yellow Pages, Dictaphone, Norstan, CBG Telecommunications, First Communications and was employed in commercial sales for Big "O" Refuse. He was most proud of the many awards he received for his achievements throughout his 50-year career. Mike also served his community by supporting many charitable agencies leading fundraising drives and donating countless volunteer hours. Mike was a member of the AMVETS Post 51, Moose Lodge 2434, Buckeye Lake Region Chamber of Commerce, and represented Big "O" Refuse through the Licking County and Delaware County Chamber of Commerce. He was a past member of the Newark Jaycees and active with the 20th Century Flyer."Plank" worked hard and played hard. He was a loyal Buckeye and Browns fan requesting family members to never schedule an event on "game days." He had a lifelong passion for boating, and would seldom leave the lake during the boating season. His boat was often the first launched in early Spring, and last out of the lake after the OSU-Michigan football game. He loved taking friends and family boating, hanging at the sandbar, and taking Michael and Kyle "tubing". Most Sunday mornings and any other available day, he could be found on the nearest golf course always striving to beat his best drive, and later enjoying an afternoon with his buddies at The Copper Penny. Mike is survived by his best friend and soulmate of 13 years, Darenda Taylor Gee, the sunshine of his life, daughter Michele (Mark) McCloskey, beloved grandsons Michael and Kyle, brother Pat Plankenhorn (Sallie Voyles), Darenda's children, Dara (Reed) Dietz, Ethan Gee and grandson Parker Dietz. A memorial service, celebrating Mikes life, will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, September 19, 2013 at the Thornville home of Hoskinson-Schoedinger Funeral and Cremation Service, 56 S, Main St., with Reverend G. Michael Gribble officiating. The family will receive friends at the Funeral Home on Thursday, from noon until the time of services at 2 p.m. We have been blessed by the continuous support of many many kind and generous friends over three months. A special thanks to Pat Guanciale, Craig Young, Jerry Nethers, Ron Byers, Rob Daly, Jeff Matthews, Paul and Kelly Robberts, many Boeing friends, Michele Layman, Pastors Mark Pearce and Tom Meyers, Rev. G Michael Gribble, Dr. Michael Martin, Dr. Greg Balturshot, Dr.Jackie Jones, Dr. Aruna Gouda, special nurses, Michelle and Kenita, Dr Zehra Kaka and staff, Dr. Richard Donnard and the very compassionate staff at Hospice of Central Ohio, the Licking Memorial Hospital, and Hoskinson-Schoedinger Funeral and Cremation Service. Heartfelt thanks to Art Rose, Marsha Link and the staff at Autumn Healthcare in Newark for providing our family with a private and peaceful place of comfort during Mike's final days. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Central Ohio, PO Box 430, Newark, Ohio 43058-9909 or The American Cancer Society, 5555 Frantz Rd., Dublin, Ohio 43017. Online condolences may be sent to www.hoskinsonfuneral.com HOSKINSON-Schoedinger Funeral and Cremation Service, Thornville, is honored to care for the Plankenhorn Family.