Stanley lost another legend recently. Keith “Butch” Plombon, age 78, died Saturday, Sept. 21, in the care of Hope Hospice and with his wife Debbie by his side.
The visitation for Butch took place Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m, followed by a funeral mass at Holy Family Catholic Church in Stanley at 2:00 p.m.
Born November 12, 1945 to Severyn and Genevieve Plombon, Keith was the twin brother of Katherine, known as “Winky.”
An avid sportsman, Keith was once applauded by State Conservation Warden James Borusky of Stanley when he and another young friend returned a mink that they realized belonged to other trappers who were working in the same area, despite its value. This earned Butch and his friend the title of “Sportsman” in Borusky’s eyes. Butch became an accomplished trapper to include out of state trapping adventures and conventions. He also enjoyed many years with the Buck Meadows hunt crew and was a founding member of the Stanley Sportsman’s Club, as well as a longtime member of the Miller Dam Lake Association. Through the years, Butch also served the Stanley Commercial Club and Holy Family Parish in various capacities and enjoyed volunteering at fundraising events.
An outgoing people person who truly cared for those he helped in their bereavement, Butch began his career as a mortician at Laemmrich Funeral Home in Menasha, Wisconsin. On Aug. 17, 1968 he was united in marriage to Barbara Miner and they raised three children, later divorcing.
Moving back to Stanley in the 1970s, Butch first worked for his father Severyn and older brother Bill before teaming up with his brother to take over the family business when Severyn retired in 1979, thus becoming a third-generation funeral director. Butch officially retired from the funeral business in 2009 but remained licensed so he could continue to help out.
On August 28, 2010, Butch married Debbie Slowiak, the two sharing 14 years together that included traveling, spending time with family and friends, and making memories.
Long lines Saturday morning made their way through the parlor off Fifth Avenue and Broadway in Stanley. Flowers and a picture of Butch were joined at the front of the room by an urn housed in a wooden box with nature scene containing his cremains. To the back of the parlor a silent screen presentation shared photo memories from over the years, including youth, parenthood, sports adventures, and other life milestones.
Later at Holy Family Catholic Church after 2 p.m., funeral attendees were asked to turn toward the entrance as Butch’s cremains were blessed in remembrance of his baptism before a procession led by Butch’s nephew and fourth generation funeral director Dan Plombon made its way to the front of the church. Gloria Eslinger sang a hymn including the words of Isaiah’s call to prophethood from Isaiah chapter 6, her brother Louis Eslinger playing the accompaniment.
Isaiah 25:6-9 was read, with Psalm 23 sung in call and response fashion, followed by the reading of First Corinthians 15:51-57. Funeral mass celebrant Father William Felix gave the eulogy, clothed in white church vestments.
“Whenever he was home, he was here,” Father Felix said of Butch’s attachment to the mass.
Transitioning from the eulogy or “good word” to the liturgy of the Eucharist prefiguring heaven’s banquet, Father Felix prayed the prayers and raised the Host to unite those present with Christ’s sufferings on the cross, in the hope of resurrection. Following mass Father Felix made a final commendation of the cremains, with inurnment following in Holy Family Cemetery.