Richard A. Pluger
Richard Allen Pluger, 75, of West Allis, passed away on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, at Aurora Zilber Family Hospice in Wauwatosa. He fought a tough battle of Alzheimer’s disease along with a recent onset of aspiration pneumonia.
Richard Allen Pluger was born on Nov. 5, 1948, in Shawano to Arvin and Maude “Betty” Pluger. He married Joanne Koerber on Feb. 10, 1968, and divorced after 21 years. Together, they had three daughters. After graduation, he worked at Menard Steel Casting Company for many years. Richard was an avid outdoorsman, especially enjoying hunting and fishing. He was an excellent handyman and was the best father and grandpa. His grandchildren adored him and he loved spending time with them.
Survivors include his former wife, Joanne; three daughters, Jodi Szutkowski, Clintonville, Sherry (Tom) Ewald, Marion, and Sherryl Cruz, West Allis; grandchildren, Ashley Pluger, Kyle Ewald, Sarah Szutkowski and Kayla Szutkowski; great-grandchildren, Lilianna Pluger and Emily Pluger; siblings, Janice Trattles, Shawano, James Pluger, Leopolis, and Dennis (Cindy) Pluger, Clintonville; half-sisters, Charlotte Hauschultz, Christine Rasmussen, Carol Grunewald and Dawn Stueck; former sister-in-law, Ruth (Ron) Stanis; and nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Arvin and Betty Pluger; a brother, Arthur Pluger; a son-in-law, Joseph Szutkowski; nieces, Pamela and Mary Jean Pluger; brothers-in-law, Terry Trattles and Henry Grunewald; and former in-laws, Robert and Ruby Koerber.
Richard’s funeral service will be held Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in the Town of Pella with the Rev. Lois Graper officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church on Wednesday from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established by Richard’s family.
The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home and Crematory of Clintonville is assisting his family. www.eberhardtstevenson.com