John Joseph Plis

John Joseph Plis, 94, of Lakewood Township passed away on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at his granddaughter's residence with his family by his side. He was born in Dupont, Pennsylvania, was raised in Newark and had lived in Middletown before settling in Lakewood in 1997. John served with honor in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. During his military service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal with two bronze service stars, and the United Nations Service Medal. Following his military service, he dedicated over 34 years to the Newark Fire Department as a firefighter on Truck 8, Ferry Street. It was during his tenure at the fire department that he met his wife, Catherine. He remained a devoted caretaker to her until her passing in 1995. A resident of Middletown, John enjoyed nature walks, particularly along the rocks of Sandy Hook with his two children. He was a skilled handyman and took great pride in his garden. While he enjoyed cooking for his fellow firefighters, he most often could be found at the grill cooking for his family. In his early retirement he stepped up as a father figure to raise his granddaughter, Danielle alongside his daughter Jeneen. He never missed an opportunity to support her, from teaching her to ride a bike to escorting her to daddy-daughter dances. A defining moment of their relationship was when he walked her down the aisle on her wedding day. John was the rock who inspired Danielle to be who she is today, and she cared for him until his passing with gratitude and respect. He was affectionately known as "Pah-Dah" to everyone who knew and loved him.

He was predeceased by his wife, Catherine Plis; parents, John and Frances Plis; and siblings, Edward Plis, Frances Panka, Robert Plis, Louise Volack, Martha Doherty and Peter Plis. John is survived by his two children, Jeneen Plis of Freehold and John Plis of Georgia; three grandchildren, Danielle Riccobene and her husband, Peter and their children, Penelope and Peter, Lauren Plis-Harden and her husband, Nick and their daughter, Makayla and one baby on the way, and Steven Plis and his daughter, Sadie; and his lady friend of 27 years, Linda Riddell of Middletown who he loved and adored.

Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Friday, March 6, 2026, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his 10:30 AM Funeral Mass on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 141 Navesink Avenue, Highlands, NJ 07732. Entombment will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery, 100 Chapel Hill Road, Red Bank, NJ 07701. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306. For information, directions, or to leave condolence messages to the family, please visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.