Darlene J. Plautz

Darlene J. Plautz, 90, of Merrill, passed away Monday, November 25, 2024, at Woodland Court Elder Services, Merrill. 

Darlene was born July 8, 1934, in Oneida County, daughter of Victor and Ruth (Batchelder) Schreiber. She married Richard E. Plautz on June 11, 1955, in Rhinelander. He preceded her in death on August 1, 2021. Darlene had attended Normal Teacher’s College in Merrill and went on to teach in the Rhinelander and Gleason areas. She eventually left her teaching position to raise her children and worked as a bookkeeper for the family business ‘Plautz Oil Company’. She also worked doing demos for grocery stores and drove for Geri Van.  She also worked doing demos for grocery stores and drove for Geri Van. 

Darlene enjoyed working on arts and crafts, especially crocheting. She was a member of the Merrill Red Hatters. She sang in the church choir and was a member of Sweet Adelines for many years. Darlene enjoyed playing music and excelled at playing concertina, accordion, piano, organ, and guitar. Darlene also enjoyed working on genealogy. 

Survivors include daughter, Ranee (Michael) Kopetzky of Merrill; sons, Rick (Alicia) Plautz of Taicang, Jiangsu Province, China and Ryan (Cheryl) Plautz of Merrill; six grandchildren, Rachael (Michael) Waldburger of Merrill, Ramsay Plautz (Maria Schmelling) of Merrill, Eva Plautz of China, Amanda (Michael) Goeden of Merrill, Ashley (Steven) Sanford of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Andrew (Amber) Plautz of Merrill; nine great-grandchildren, Michael, Elora, Ava, Piper, Sebastian, Stella, Aidan, Addison, and Anderson; sisters-in-law, Marlee Schreiber of Merrill, Pat Schreiber of Rhinelander, and Leora Rash of Homer City, Pennsylvania; and brother-in-law, Roger (Patsy) Plautz of Merrill. Darlene was preceded in death by her husband, Richard E. Plautz; father, Victor Schreiber; mother, Ruth Schreiber Bratley; stepfather, Milton Bratley; and siblings, Ronald Schreiber, Larry Schreiber, and Shirley (William) Wagler.

The memorial service for Darlene will be held at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill. Rev. Scott Gustafson will officiate. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday at the funeral home. Interment will take place at a later date in St. Francis Xavier Veteran’s Memorial. 

Taylor-Stine Funeral & Cremation is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstine.com