Gary Willis Plant, 84, a lifelong resident of Wooster, died peacefully and surrounded by family on February 11, 2022, at Ohio s LifeCare Hospice in Wooster.
He was born on August 1, 1937, in Shreve to Laura Rosella and Willis Plant. On January 25, 1958, he married Jill Dunn, and they recently celebrated 64 years of marriage.
Soon after graduating from Wooster High School in 1955, Gary began working at Wayne County Iron and Metal for one of the men who had a huge influence on his life, Sam Shapiro, then moved over to Metallics Recycling in 1977, retiring as treasurer in 2010 after 52 years of service.
Sports were a big part of Gary s entire life, starting when he was just a kid and could always be found wherever there was a game. He and some friends from Wooster won the 1954 Class D Hot Stove state title. He lettered in football, basketball and baseball at Wooster High, then went on to play fastpitch softball for 20 years for Wooster Lumber, Shearer Implement, Orr Park and the Wooster Merchants, playing with and against many great players, including his longtime close friend Devonne Sigler. He was also a regular in local golf and bowling leagues; an original Downtown Rebounder; and he served on several athletic boards. In 1953, he assisted another early mentor, Denton Fuller, as a coach in Wooster Little League, then took over the Wooster Lumber team and coached from 1954-63, thoroughly enjoying helping youngsters the way he was helped just a few short years before.
He was also a big fan of Cleveland sports, Ohio State, The College of Wooster and Wooster High, and always took great interest in following other teams from around the area and could often be found listening to a game on his radio headset. His biggest joy was watching any event in which his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren participated.
Gary is survived by his wife, daughters Sherry Johnson, Jennifer Monastra and Kristen Balliett (Aaron); sons Mike Plant, Jeff Plant and Tim Plant (Diane); grandchildren Amber Miller (Matt), Ben Johnson, Nick Roach, Jay Plant, Gary Plant, Brandon Plant, Donald Plant (Erica), Isabelle Plant, Madison Shank (Trey), Joseph Monastra, Gabby Monastra, Nathan Monastra, Camryn Murray, and Garrison Balliett; great-grandchildren Logan Miller, Lennon Miller, Isaiah Johnson, Carter Bohanon, Xavier Plant, and Enzo Plant; brothers Ronald Plant (Bev), Donald Plant (Diana), Billy Seith (Diane), and Rick Plant; sisters Janet Blankenship (Larry), Dianne Kay Hopkins and Martha Jane Davis (Warren); brother-in-law Charles W. Dunn Jr.; and former daughter-in-law Nancy Robinson Berry. Everyone in his family admired and looked up to him, and more importantly loved him and were in return loved by him and were able to express that until the very end.
In addition to his parents, Gary was preceded in death by an infant brother Larry and a son-in-law, Geoff Monastra.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 18 at St Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 527 Beall Ave., Wooster, with Fr. Steven Moran officiating.
Friends will be received on Thursday, February 17 from 5-8 p.m. at McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Ohio s LifeCare Hospice for the comfort and care provided to both Gary and to his family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Wooster Youth Baseball, PO Box 1134 or 1212 E. Highland Ave., Wooster, OH 44691.
Memorial Contributions
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Wooster Youth Baseball, PO Box 1134 or 1212 E. Highland Ave., Wooster, OH 44691.
Service
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 18 at St Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 527 Beall Ave., Wooster, with Fr. Steven Moran officiating.
Visitation
Friends will be received on Thursday, February 17 from 5-8 p.m. at McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster.
Thinking of you,I’m sorry to hear about Gary
Jill and family, I am sorry for your loss of Gary. Sympathy and prayers for all of you.
Many fond memories working with Gary at Wooster Iron and Metal. Was simply the Best.
Gary was such a wonderful person and was my Little League coach. I worked with Gary for years and I never met anyone who was harder working or who had a better attitude. If everyone had Gary’s demeanor the world would be a much better place to live. My sincerest sympathy to the entire family.
I am sorry God Bless
Jill and family, we are so sorry for your loss. Gary was a great guy and we know he will be missed.
Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Very sorry for your loss, I will never forget some of our summer baseball games with Gary as our coach! We had some times didn’t we. Gary helped me with getting a summer job down at Metallics which I was very grateful for at the time. A wonderful man and he will be missed.
Our sincere sympathy to Jill & the rest of the Plant family for your loss of Gary.He was a great guy & known by many in the Wayne County sports world.RIP Gary .
Gary was always such a nice, kind, happy, and generous man. My condolences to his family and may your memories help you through this difficult time.
Big influence on my early years Coach. Prayers for Jill and the Family! RIP Coach
My heartfelt condolences to the family of Gary. I remember Gary well when I sat on the bench with my father Ken Vincent during Shearer Implement fasrpitch games. Always a gentleman, good sport and quiet leader. He used the skills God gave him to benefit us all. He was always on deck for heaven, now it’s his turn to hit.
Jill and family, We are so very sorry to hear of the passing of your loved one. All of you are in our prayers and may God grant you peace and comfort at this very difficult time. Keep all the good memories close to your heart and smile when you remember the good times.
Tim, sorry to hear of the passing of your father. Prayers to you and your family. May you and your family find peace and comfort at this difficult time.
My sympathies to Gary’s entire family. I became acquainted with Gary when my stepson, Thomas D. Sines was Metallics’ plant superintendent Bob Polsky was still living. I had many occasions to have conversations with both of them and even sometimes drove for them or did welding jobs for them. Gary always made me feel good by writing a check. He was one fine gentleman and I’m sure deeply missed by all. May God be with you.