The Sterling Daily Gazette, Sterling, Illinois

June 19, 1942 - Friday, pg. 7, col. 5

 

 

The Rock Falls Lutheran church was filled with relatives and friends Wednesday afternoon for the funeral of the late Frank Plautz.  There was a short service at 1:30 o'clock in the home south of Rock Falls, preceding the 2 o'clock service in the church, conducted by the Rev. Wilhelm Streng.

 

For his text, Rev. Mr. Streng preached on "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them."  Herman Oltman sang "Nearer My God to Thee" and "Abide with Me," with Mrs. Oltman at the organ.

 

Burial was in the Odd Fellows cemetery, Rock Falls.  The casket bearers were Willliam Plautz, William Kunde, Frank G Plautz, Frank Ufkin, Andrew Folkers and Walter Oltmanns.  Flowers were in charge of Verna Stern, Mrs. Wilson King, Mrs. Marion Maxey, Mrs. Lawrence Bauman, Miss Helen Block, Mrs. John Damken, Miss Leona Oltman and Mrs. Glen Nelson.

 

Many relatives and friends from Dixon, Rochelle, Walnut, Yorktown, Tampico and Prophetstown attended the services.

 

 

Frank Plautz was born as the youngest child of Gottlieb Plautz and Friederika Genz on July 3, 1876, at Friederika Walde, Germany.  In his infancy he was baptized into the faith of the Triune God.  As a young boy he came to America with his parents, who settled on farm east of Rock Falls.  The first year in this country he lost his father.  Grown into young manhood the departed moved to Nebraska where he farmed for 10 years.  Upon his return to Illinois he was united in holy matrimony with Miss Jennie Oltmans on January 16, 1901.  Pastor H. Weyrauch heard their marriage vows.  For five years the young couple lived at Nelson and ever since have resided in Montmorency township.

 

Eight children were born to this union, six of whom survive their father.  Last year the departed and his wife were privileged to observe their 40th wedding anniversay.

 

All his life the departed remained true to the Lutheran church.  As a youth he was confirmed at the Lutheran altar and only a few days before his departure he once more received the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Regularly he was found in our services of worship. The congregation of which he was faithful member honored his day by a position on the church council for 29 years.  All of his children were instructed and confirmed in the faith of their Lord and Saviour.  For 41 years he has been a member of this church.  For many years he was also a member of the social circle.

 

About two years ago the departed felt that his strength was waning.  Repeatedly he was bedfast for a time until last Sunday evening a sudden stroke brought the end of his life near.  On Monday morning at 4:40 o'clock he fell asleep with most of his family by his bedside.  He had reached the age of 65 years, 11 months and 11 days.

 

He leaves to mourn his wife and children:  Herman and wife, Lucille Pearson of Prophetstown;  Walter and wife, Emma Sandrock, of Wheaton, Minn.;   Hazel and husband, Fred Sandrock of Prophetstown;  Harold and wife, Dorothy Pletsch of Prophetstown;  Delbert and wife, Cassie Stern, of Rock Falls;  Wilma and husband, Orville Johnson, of Plainview, Neb.   Two children preceded him in death:  John, who died at the age of 16 months in 1908, and Mrs. Marie Polte, who died at the age of 26 years in 1937.  His parents, three brothers and three sisters preceded him in death.  He is also survived by one brother, Herman Plautz of Rock Falls, and by 15 grandchildren.