Keith A. Plake

June 5, 2023

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Keith A. Plake, 84, of rural Frankfort, died June 5, 2023 at home, surrounded by his family.  Born August 8, 1938 in Tipton, Ind. to Lincoln Earl & Bernice J. (Shepard) Plake.  He married Barbara Ann Keesling on May 3, 1957 at the Kokomo Wesleyan Church and she survives.

Keith was a 1956 graduate of Tipton High School.  He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1956-1959, attaining the rank of Corporal. He retired from Chrysler on May 30, 1992 after 31 years, working as a tool & die maker.  Keith was also a farmer and raised livestock.  He was a member of the Michigantown Christian Church and the UAW at Chrysler.  Keith was a kind, generous, and joking person, was an avid gardener, where a weed could not be found, he grew the perfect tomatoes and enjoyed woodworking.  He loved his family and his greatest joy was being called Pa by his grandchildren.  A special thanks to Guardian Angel Hospice for the care given to the family.

Visitation and Services

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, June 8, 2023 at Goodwin Funeral Home, 200 S. Main St., Frankfort. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday, June 9th at the funeral home. Bob Woods, Minister and Karl Kercheval will officiate. Burial will be in Bunnell Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family asks that a donation be made to one of the following: Michigantown Youth League, c/o Jan Archibald, 1 E. Clinton St., Frankfort, IN 46041, Michigantown Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 25, Michigantown, IN 46057 or Michigantown Christian Church, P.O. Box 270, Michigantown, IN 46057.

Survived by:

Wife: Barbara Plake of rural Frankfort, Daughter: Pam Ostler of rural Frankfort, Brothers: Earl (Ruth) Plake of Wakarusa, Ind., John (Michele) Freed of Punta Gorda, Fla., Sisters: Carol (Robert) Stucker of Clayton, Ind., Kathy (David) Roe of Kokomo, Ind., Grandsons: Matthew Plake Ostler and Seth Andrew (Allison) Ostler both of rural Frankfort, Great-Grandchildren: Graham Michael Ostler and Kyndal Grace Ostler. Keith is also survived by several nieces, nephews and had several friends and neighbors who were like family.

Preceded by:

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Michael Keith Plake in 2005, baby brother: Charles Plake, and his mother-in-law, Annabelle Pedro.

Memorial Video

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Condolences

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23 Condolences for “Keith A. Plake”

  1. Peggy and Dan Abbott June 5, 2023 at 10:10 pm

    Sending love, thoughts and prayers to all the family. Loved you all.

    Reply
  2. Teresa Trent June 5, 2023 at 10:16 pm

    We sure will miss Keith. Always enjoyed visiting him and Barb at home and talking to him at church and making sure he got his Jolly Ranchers. He was a great man loved by many. My prayers for Barbara, Pam and family.

    Reply
  3. Jim and Janilyn Need June 5, 2023 at 10:34 pm

    Dear Barbara, Pam and family, So very sorry for your great loss. We have fond memories of Keith and your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

    Reply
  4. Doris Richey June 6, 2023 at 6:22 am

    Sorry for your loss, he is with Mike again.

    Reply
  5. Wendie & Steve Ferrel June 6, 2023 at 8:11 am

    So sorry to see this Pam. You and your family are in our prayers.

    Reply
  6. Phil & Gloria Crum June 6, 2023 at 9:10 am

    So sorry to hear of Keith’s passing. With sincere sympathies.

    Reply
  7. Wanda Kercheval June 6, 2023 at 9:51 am

    So sorry for your loss, but know that your loved one is no longer in pain. Celebrate Keith home.

    Reply
    • Suilon Benjamin June 8, 2023 at 12:34 am

      Dear Ann & Barb & Family,
      Sympathy Prayers for all, What a fun guy he was. I know he will be missed by all & what a blessing he was to the grandkids. God Bless, Suilon & Family

      Reply
  8. Beth A .Trent June 6, 2023 at 10:20 am

    Barb, Pam and Family, So very sorry to hear of Keith’s passing. You will be in our hearts, thoughts and prayers. So many memories of Keith and Barb from Chrysler, the homestead, school with Pam and sadly Mike. Keith was an amazing man!

    Reply
  9. Ida Kruis June 6, 2023 at 10:46 am

    Wishing you strength in this difficult time, Barbara and family, You are in my thoughts. With love. Ida Kruis

    Reply
  10. Michele Freed June 6, 2023 at 11:08 am

    Who could not love Keith? I married into the family and loved visiting with him & Barb. I love the picture selected for this announcement because it reminds me of his face after he just told an ornery joke. He was smart, resourceful, loyal, kind and yes, ornery. Much love to the family.

    Reply
  11. Sandee Pickard June 6, 2023 at 11:52 am

    So sorry to read this about Keith. Sending hugs and prayers to you and your family.

    Reply
  12. Kathy June 6, 2023 at 5:07 pm

    I am so sorry for your loss- Keith was very special to all of us. I’m so grateful to have known him and had the privilege to be his neighbor for part of my childhood. The last time I visited him he gave me an arrowhead (probably the wrong word). I still have it and it brings me joy each time I look at it and think of him.

    Reply
  13. Keith A Gephart June 6, 2023 at 8:42 pm

    No words can really describe such a man, true to his soul, a friend whom which he chose, a kind hearted true human being that shall sing as an angel now. Hugged many times, hand shook many more, I’ve rarely felt the love from one to another. I will miss you dear friend. Prayer’s to all of the family, Barbara, I am sorry. RIP KEITH

    Reply
  14. Jodi Harper June 6, 2023 at 9:05 pm

    I am so happy I was able to know Keith and Barbara. There house was a home filled with love. Hope it remains with Keith’s spirit . Grandkids and greats loved Pa so much. A life very well lived. He will be missed everyday.

    Reply
  15. Aunt Paulette June 6, 2023 at 9:26 pm

    Seth and Allison, so sorry for your loss! Prayers for you and your family at this most difficult time.

    Reply
  16. Gloria K Hall June 7, 2023 at 5:40 pm

    So sorry for the loss of your father Pam.

    Reply
  17. (Cousin) Marge Longoria June 7, 2023 at 9:56 pm

    Barbara and family.
    I loved all of the photos in the tribute. I can tell Keith had a life full of love and I am sure you will all keep that love and those happy memories close to your hearts. My prayers are with all of you. You lost a great family man and a kind soul. Mon & I always enjoyed his sense of humor.

    Reply
  18. Jerel and Tammy June 8, 2023 at 5:45 pm

    We are so sorry for your loss. We know he is finally free from pain and with his Lord.
    Jerel and Tammy Roe

    Reply
  19. Stan and Beth Frazier June 8, 2023 at 10:05 pm

    Our deepest condolences for your loss

    Reply
  20. Phyllis Frawley June 10, 2023 at 10:23 pm

    Barbara and family. We are so sorry to hear about Keith’s passing. Our sister-in-law Jeannine Frawley often talked about you and Keith and loved you both very much saying, Keith her favorite cousin. Don and I came to your house many years ago with them to see you. On one visit from their home in AZ, you guys took them to Fairoaks Farm. They talked about it the rest of their lives. They are all in heaven rejoicing together.

    Reply
  21. Alan Wagoner June 13, 2023 at 7:37 pm

    I wish to express my sincere condolence to all of the Plake family. Keith made everyone around him feel happy. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
    A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth. It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
    Ecclesiastes 7:1‭-‬4 KJV

    Reply
  22. Barbara Plake July 4, 2023 at 7:39 am

    To all who left condolence messages, Keith’s family wants to say thanks for the kind words. He is being missed every minute of every day.

    Reply

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