Paul H. Plunkett

Carbondale – Paul H. Plunkett, 77, of Carbondale passed from life here on earth May 29, 2016, at 7:25 pm in the Memorial Hospital, Carbondale.



Paul was born and raised on a farm in Saline County. He was born November 28, 1938, to Howard and Blanche (Porter) Plunkett in Eldorado. He married Marian Jean Frakes on March 30, 1962, 54 years ago. She still resides in Carbondale.



He was a much loved father to his son Michael (Avril) Plunkett of Kunming, China and daughter Julie (Jeremy) Brigham of East Granby, Connecticut. He leaves a brother, A. B. (Rosa Lee) Plunkett and his sister, Janet (Jess) Garrison of Phoenix, AZ. He was grandfather to Nicholas and Corinna Plunkett, and Jackson, Lily, Ruby, and Samuel Brigham. He leaves numerous nieces and nephews. Paul's parents, brother, Max Plunkett and sister, Rita June Plunkett preceded him in death.



Paul earned his BA degree in history at SIU in 1969 and his MA degree in Christian School Administration from Grace College and Seminary in 1987.



He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1962 until his discharge in 1964. Following his military service, he and his wife joined the Peace Corps, stationed in West Bengal, India from 1964 to 1966, where son, Michael was born.



Paul and his wife were invited to Chengdu, China as foreign experts in administration and English instruction for the 1993-1994 school year. From 1983 to 1996, he was the administrator of Springfield Christian School in Springfield, Massachusetts. He most recently served as administrator of Trinity Christian School in Carbondale for 14 years until his retirement in 2011.



Paul was an active member of Neighborhood Bible Fellowship in Carbondale. The family is grateful to church and family members, the VA, and many others in dealing with the trials of a rapidly progressing disease. We are thankful for the first responders and medical personnel who attended him and cared for him during the past two years.



Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 8:00 on Friday evening, June 3, 2016, at Meredith Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 4, 2016, at Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale with Pastor Glendall Toney officiating. Burial will follow in Wolf Creek Cemetery in Eldorado.



Memorials are the preferred form of remembrance and may be made to Trinity Christian School, or the ALS Association and will be accepted at the funeral home.