Thomas J. Plymale's Obituary
Thomas Joseph Plymale dedicated his life to learning and service. His widowed mother Eleanor insisted he receive a Catholic education. With great personal sacrifice, she sent her only child to St. Joseph School and in 1954, Tom was part of the first graduating class of Muskegon Catholic Central. Both schools instilled in Tom a deep love of learning and the importance of education to life's success. After a few years working in local factories, in 1959 Tom was drafted into the United States Army serving in both Georgia and Missouri. The Army provided opportunities that would change his life. While serving as a clerk in the Judge Advocate General Corp, Tom returned to school and rekindled his love of learning. Upon discharge, he enrolled in Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan and received his Bachelor's in 1964 and later earned his Masters in Education from Western Michigan University. From 1965 to 1993, Tom taught American History and English to 7th and 8th grade students at Reeths-Puffer Junior High. He took great joy in taking students on class trips to both Greenfield Village and Washington, D.C. Tom was a former president of the Reeths-Puffer Education Association and enjoyed golfing and bowling in the school's teacher league. He also taught night school at Orchard View and enjoyed teaching travel geography at local senior homes. Tom furthered his service to the community by serving on the Muskegon Township Zoning Board of Appeals in the 1990's. Tom particularly enjoyed working the summers of 1968-1970 as a ticket agent for the S.S. Milwaukee Clipper. An avid golfer, Tom deeply enjoyed spending time with friends on local courses. He was an avid reader and amateur photographer. Tom loved loading his family in his 1971 Pontiac LeMans and camping throughout the Great Lake region. Tom was a parishioner of the now-closed St. Joseph Parish and since 1975, Prince of Peace Catholic Church. He started the church's annual golf outing to serve the parishioners. Thomas Joseph Plymale was born in Muskegon, Michigan on March 12, 1936 to Jeffie and Eleanor (Secord) Plymale. Thomas married Shirley Ann Glotzbach on August 22, 1964 and she survives him along with his daughter, Annette and grandchildren: Jimmy and Autumn Espinoza; son, Jeffrey and his wife Marian, and grandchildren: Walter, George, and Esther. He was particularly close to his predeceased Uncle John and Aunt Elna, Uncle George "Puge" Secord, and his grandmother Anna Secord. A FUNERAL MASS will be said at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 1110 Dykstra Rd., Muskegon, on Friday, May 12, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be one hour prior. Rev. Anthony M. Pelak presiding. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Muskegon. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Muskegon Catholic Education Foundation, 1851 Barclay St., Muskegon, MI, 49441. Share memories with the family at their On-line Guest Book at www.sytsemafh.com Arrangements by The Sytsema Chapel, 737 Apple Ave., (231) 726-5210
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