Melva Jewel Plocek

1939 - 2022

Melva Jewel Plocek

Melva Jewel "Yia Yia" Plocek passed peacefully at her Monclova, Ohio, home at age 83 on August 27, 2022, surrounded by family. Born February 25, 1939, to Margaret (Wells) and Bernard Gossett, Melva went to Woodward High School where she graduated in 1957 and was an enthusiastic majorette. On July 27th that same year, she married Melvin "Pete" Plocek, whom she later raised four girls and two boys with on their Monclova, Ohio, farm. The two celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary just last month â€" a day filled with laughs, smiles, and memories.

Melva retired in 2009 after having worked as a Cardiac Echo Tech for 34 years, employed by St. Luke's and Mercy Health Partners. She also worked for Dr. Sesinando Torres and Dr. Raj Bhatia. She took pride in her work and held dearly the relationships she made along the way.

Melva was a passionately devout Catholic and member of St. Joseph's Maumee Parish, where she served in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and assisted as a Eucharistic minister, actively committed to deepening her relationship with God and His love.

Her strong values and beliefs translated into her support for her community and country, serving as a proud member of the Republican Club and Zoning Appeal Board. In fact, Melva was active in establishing agricultural zoning changes in Monclova and at one point spoke before the Senate.

Her role as a beloved pillar of the community was easily transcended by her insurmountable love for family. Melva was the matriarch of an extensive family tree, complete with seven children, twenty grandchildren, twenty-eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. She loved each of them uniquely and unconditionally and took pride in each of their individual accomplishments.

Melva's hobbies included playing piano, creating beautiful glass designs, playing cards with her kids and grandkids, and watching sports â€" rooting always for the University of Michigan and any team Tom Brady was playing for.

Her legacy is survived by her husband, Pete Plocek; daughter, Kim (Danny) Carothers of Monclova, Ohio; son, Matt (Sheri) Plocek of Monclova, Ohio; son, Mark (Jodi) Plocek of Monclova, Ohio; daughter, Cindy (Brad) Binkley of Whitehouse, Ohio; daughter, Diane (Rip) Shindorf of Quincy, Michigan; daughter, Kelly (Jerry) Crawford of Bowling Green, Ohio; brother, Dwight (Vicki) Gossett of Rochester Hills, Michigan; and brother, Rich (Dina) Gossett of Toledo, Ohio.

She meets in Heaven her son, Michael Plocek; grandson, Ross Plocek; sister, Patricia Moore; brothers, Wayne and Dale Gossett; and her parents, Margaret and Bernard Gossett.

A special thank you goes to her fantastic aides Lisa and Michaela as well as Patti from Hospice of Northwest Ohio for providing Melva and her family with such a peaceful transition.

The family asks that donations be made to St. Joseph's Maumee, Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Wounded Warriors, or American Life League.

Visitation will be held Friday, September 2, 2022, at Peinert-Dunn Funeral Home (6603 Providence Street, Whitehouse, Ohio) from 3 p.m.-7 p.m. A celebration mass will be at St. Joseph's (104 W. Broadway, Maumee, Ohio) at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 3, 2022.

Following Saturday's mass, it was Melva's wish to have a University of Michigan tailgate party at her and Pete's home. Please wear your finest U of M gear or whichever team you represent (Melva was always a fan of friendly competition!). GO BLUE! To leave an online memory please visit www.dunnfuneralhome.com