John William Plunkett

John W. Plunkett, 71, of Monrovia, left this world unexpectedly when his soul joined the happy hunting ground in the early morning hours of Saturday, August 13, 2022. He was born in Martinsville on April1, 1951, one of seven children to the late Oscar Lovain and Catherine Elizabeth (Felix) Plunkett.
A Morgan County native, John first began his youth growing up on Kinnett's Lake, before his father purchased land on Briarwood Lake, building the family's forever home. Monrovia's first hippie, he was a proud graduate with the class of 1969 from Monrovia High School, later continuing his education at IUPUI studying English, Writing, and History. Moving to Indianapolis straight out of school, he opened his own pizza place – Talbot Inn, on Talbot Street. In his early 20's he heard the call from within him to head west where he was a expert tour guide at the Grand Canyon. While John held various positions in his youth, his path ultimately led him to the Indiana Department of Corrections, serving as an Officer for several years, retiring as a Locksmith in 2014, after 28 years of dedicated service.
Introduced to his soulmate and future wife in May of 1990, John was set up on a blind date with Laura Niggle. The two instantly hit it off and the whirlwind courtship lasted a mere two months before he proposed to her while on a weekend trip to Madison. The pair vowed their everlasting love on August 19, spending thirty-two years united as one. Settling in Mooresville, John once again heard a call from within, this time to his deeply planted roots on Briarwood Lake.
With a deep thirst for knowledge, John surrounded himself with books of all sorts, but especially enjoyed history and Sci-Fi. A writer at heart, he loved a good jazz or blues tune on the stereo, taking spontaneous day trips with his best friend Laura, fishing, and old school camping. Interested in the Native American culture since his youth, he and Laura joined the Salt Creek Sundance Group following the beliefs of the Lakota Indians in 1998 where he was a loyal member. Attending the annual eight-day ceremony held yearly, he and his fellow members danced and participated in the community's activities and rituals. Intelligent, kind, and generous, John loved animals and was known for his speed, earning him the nickname "Turtle". Gone from this earthly world all too soon, he will be deeply and profoundly missed.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Pilkins.
John leaves behind his loving wife, Laura Leigh (Niggle) Plunkett, of Monrovia; siblings, Michael Plunkett (Lou) of Camby, Cathy Wells (Rick) of Brooklyn, Pam Beyerlien of Lewisville, Fred Plunkett (Sheryl) of Mooresville, and Robin Valente of Greencastle, brother-in-law, Harry Pilkins of Reelsville; several nieces and nephews, as well as his adored fur baby, Hollie.
Funeral and Cremation Arrangements have been entrusted to Light Memorial & Funeral Chapel in Monrovia. Friends and family are invited to gather on Saturday, August 20, from 11am to 2pm at the funeral home, with a Celebration of Life Service will beginning promptly at 2pm. JD Fish, Tracy Haines, and Frank Vanderpalen will officiate, and cremation will take place after services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to help offset his final expenses to Light Memorial & Funeral Chapel, 585 E Main St, Monrovia, IN 46157 by mail or online via PayPal at https://paypal.me/LightMemorial, please be sure to note that your donation is in John's memory. To share a favorite story, send an online condolence to the family, or light a candle in his memory, please search @MonroviaFuneralHome on social media or visit his tribute page at www.lightmemorial.com.