Edwin Pluger

Edwin A. “Sarge” Pluger, age 89, of Appleton, Wisc., passed away on Dec. 8, 2014, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on Jan. 31, 1925 in Shiocton, to the late William H. E. and Augusta L. (Lubben) Pluger. When Eddie was 17 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He was first and foremost a Marine. He served in WWII, Koren War, Vietnam and everything in between.

When he was a staff sergeant and recruiter in Michigan, he met Elizabeth Thomas. On Dec. 31, 1951, they were married in Shiocton, Wisc. They made their home in Fullerton, Calif. When not overseas he was a communications officer based at El Toro, Camp Pendelton and 29 Palms in California.

After 30 years service and attaining the rank of CWO 4, Sarge and Liz retired to Troy. There he was able to follow his passion for hunting and fishing that he learned in his early years in Shiocton. He then took up being a sawyer for Dave Robbins. He enjoyed the outdoors, shooting pool, playing ping-pong and shuffleboard with his wife. Liz died in 2007 of COPD; after that he was not the same his Alzheimer’s got worse, and in 2010 he was moved to a facility in Appleton where he resided until his death.  

He is survived by his daughters Lyn Williams of Appleton, Wisc., Lizann (Ernie Anderson) Pluger of Troy, and Lisa (David) of Parker, Fla.; grandchildren Lacey (Daniel) Dibble of Appleton, Wisc., and Grant Pluger of Lewistown; sisters Margaret “Muggs” Bates, and Lucille Wadel; and sister-in-law Joyce Pluger. He is further survived by several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Preceding Edwin in death are his parents; his wife Liz; siblings Barbara Jean (Jerry) Strong, Bill (Joyce) Pluger, Ione Pluger and Jim Pluger; and brothers-in-law Ben Bates and Earl Wadel.

A memorial service for Sarge will be held at a later date in Montana. A special thank you to the wonderful and caring staff at Emeritus.