Howard Edward Plantz

Howard Edward Plantz, age 80, of Westerville, Ohio passed away October 24, 2024. Son of his late parents Annie (Erwin), and Arthur Plantz. He was born in Troy, OH, and graduated in 1963 from Pleasant High School, Marion, OH.
Howard served in the U.S. Army in the 25th Infantry Division, Tropic Lightning Stryke Force from October 1963 to October 1966. He was stationed in Schofield Barracks, Oahu, HI, before volunteering to serve his country in C Chi and Nha Trang, Vietnam, where he was a Bell UH-1 Iroquois (Huey) helicopter door-gunner in the Vietnam War. Howard's unit was among this first to engage in combat in South Vietnam and was repeatedly exposed to small arms fire, rocket-propelled grenades, and anti-aircraft fire on multiple harsh and dangerous missions. Howard then served a second tour of duty at Cam Ranh Bay Vietnam, where he was a Demolitions Specialist and Combat Engineer.
He was awarded several recognitions for his acts of heroism or meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight, including being a four-time Air Medal recipient and earning his Aerial Helicopter Gunnery Wings. In addition, Howard was awarded his Vietnam Service Medal and his Army Commendation Medal for serving his country. In 1966, Howard received an Honorable Discharge from the Army at the rank of Specialist, E-5. Howard's Presidential Memorial Certificate and National Medallion to be placed at his gravesite later by the family.
Howard married the love of his life, Marjorie (Brown), on June 20, 1970, in Marion, Ohio, and moved to Westerville, Ohio in 1987 where they raised their two children, Jayson and Julie. Together, they built a life filled with family, love, laughter and shared adventures.
He was a Journeyman Electrician, working at the Erie Lackawanna Railway, then Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail), Chessie System and CSX Transportation. After hanging up his railroading hat, Howard went on to work in the Physical Facilities department at The Ohio State University for another two decades.
With an adventurous spirit, Howard and Marj spent many quality years travelling and spending time together in their RV, seeing the country together. Howard enjoyed pursuing home improvement projects, automotive maintenance, and spending time with his family.
He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Marjorie, son Jayson Howard (Summer) Plantz, and daughter Julie (Christopher) Hedrick, and his grandchildren Alexandre Hedrick, Avamarie Hedrick and Vivianne Plantz.
Howard is also survived by sisters Shirley Dietsch and Sharon Plantz of Marion, Ohio, as well as multiple nieces, nephews, cousins and other cherished family members in Ohio, West Virginia and Colorado.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Annie (Erwin) and Arthur Plantz of Marion, Ohio, and by his sisters Barbara Snare and Patricia Plantz, both of Marion, and brother Arthur Plantz, Jr. of Hilliard.
Visitation for immediate and close family will be held on Wednesday, November 6, from 9:45-10:00 a.m., followed by public calling hours from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Central College Church Chapel, 975 South Sunbury Road, Westerville.
Memorial Service will begin at 11:00 a.m., followed by formal processional past his Westerville home, then to the Blendon Central Cemetery, 6330 South Hempstead Road, Westerville, for a graveside Military Honors Ceremony.
Those attending are invited to a luncheon in Ballard Hall at Central College Church, post all services.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Howard's name can be made to Honor Flight Columbus, PO Box 20133, Columbus, Ohio 43220; online at www.honorflightcmh.org/donate-today.
Honor Flight Columbus is a non-profit organization to honor, share and celebrate Central Ohio's veterans with a trip to Washington, D.C. to visit the nation's memorials, to help them share their stories, and to celebrate and affirm their service and homecoming. Howard was bestowed his Honor Flight in September of 2019.