Fred Charles Plath

Plath, Fred Charles Surrounded by his family, Fred Charles Plath age 87 of Coral passed away on June 11, 2015 in the same room in which he was born in 1927. Fred was preceded in death by his parents Fred and Elizabeth Plath, his brother Donald Plath (Helen), sisters Marian Rowland (Bob), Maxine McDonald (Charlie), and Jean Plath. He was also preceded in death by his second wife Janice Plath in 1973. Surviving is his wife Kathleen to whom he was married for 35 years,his sister Phyllis Plath of Grand Rapids, children and their spouses Fred Plath (Joann) of Howard City, Robert Plath (Maritza) of Coral, Raymond Plath of Grand Rapids, Sharon Mumah (Rex), of Morley, Roger Garlick (Tracy) or Morley, Janie Buck (Phil) of Morley, Michelle Griffes (Greg) of Coral, Mandy Hyrns of Coral, several brothers in laws and sister in laws, 23 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. Fred farmed the land he grew up on for more than 50 years and had a passion for it. He worked as a mechanic at Blumberg's garage and at the Coral Dog Food Factory. He also worked at various places as a hired farm hand and mechanic. Fred did a lot of custom combining and had a reputation for getting all the grain off a field. Fred began working in the maintenance department at Clark Nursing Home in Grand Rapids in March of 2000 and continued working there full time, logging several miles each day walking the halls until he retired in 2009 at the age of 82. He never understood why they had to bill those residents for him being kind enough to change a light bulb. At the time he retired, he was older than a number of the actual residents of the nursing home. Fred loved his family, John Deere Tractors, a cold beer, sauerkraut, and something hot off the grill. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Funeral services will be at The Heckman Funeral Home in Howard City on Monday June 15th at 11am. A visitation at the funeral home will be held on Sunday June 14th from 2pm to 4pm and from 6pm to 8pm. Interment will be in the Reynolds Township cemetery. The family extends their sincere gratitude to the staff of Spectrum Health Hospice.