John D. Plansky

John David Plansky passed away on May 24, 2025, after a valiant battle with many health issues. He was born on February 10, 1942, in Wilson, Michigan to Aaron and Eleanor (Johhanson) Plansky. He married Karen Wisner-Brown on December 2, 1990, in St. Johns City, Florida. John graduated from Menominee High School in 1960.
John was a very kind and compassionate person that would never say "no" to anyone who asked for help. He proudly served on the Marinette Fire Dept. for 34 years, attaining the rank of Captain and retiring December 31, 1999. John was very proud that his brother Jerry and nephew Joshua Plansky also became firefighters for the Marinette Fire Dept. In the early years of his employ, he drove ambulance as well as being a paramedic for the city.
John wore many hats in his life: he was a pilot, realtor, insurance adjuster, and carpenter. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, watching Hallmark movies, and ice cream. He loved raising and showing his Newfoundland dogs. John was a president and founder of the Menominee River Kennel Club. He was a member of the Marinette Elks Club, acting as secretary for a term, and also belonged to the American Legion, Menominee Chapter of White Tails, Hawaiian Newfoundland Club, and Newfoundland Club of America.
John is survived by his wife, Karen; his sons, Kevin Plansky of Green Bay, and Jack Plansky of Menominee; his step-sons, Stoddard Brown of Menominee and Mike Brown of Tokyo, Japan; brothers, James (Gaye) Plansky; and Jerry (Laurie) Plansky, and their children Jessica (Jack) Wilson, daughter Lorraine, and Joshua (Lindsey) Plansky, daughter Madeline; brother-in-law, Stoddard (Dona) Wisner of Rockford, IL; sister-in-law, Julie (William) Simmons of Menominee; along with many nieces and nephews that he loved dearly. John is further survived by 17 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, with two more expected in the fall. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Carol Arnold.
A Celebration of Life will be held on June 28, 2025, from 1 until 4 p.m. at the Marinette Elks Club. Come and bring a tale or two of your experiences with John.