Keith T. “Butch” Plombon
1945-2024
Keith T. “Butch” Plombon, age 78 of Stanley, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 21 at home with his loving wife by his side while under the care of Hope Hospice. Butch was born in Stanley on Nov. 12, 1945, the son of Severyn & Genevieve (Rivers) Plombon and the twin brother of Katherine “Winky”. He grew up in Stanley attending St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School. In 1963 he graduated from McDonnell Catholic High School in Chippewa Falls. He then completed his bachelor’s degree at St. Norbert College in DePere, followed by mortuary science school in Milwaukee. He became a licensed funeral director in 1968.
On Aug. 17, 1968, he was united in marriage to Barbara Miner and they raised three children. They later divorced. Butch began his career at Laemmrich Funeral Home in Menasha. In the early 1970s he moved his family back to Stanley to work for his father and with his older brother William “Bill” at the Stanley, Gilman, and Cornell funeral homes. In 1979, Severyn retired and Butch and Bill became partners in the family business.
Butch truly loved his job and was very humbled to be able to serve three generations of families during their time of need. He was a social butterfly and could strike up a conversation with anyone. He was frequently heard saying “I’ve got a story for that!” He took a genuine interest in the families he served and, years later, could still recite who’s who on their family trees.
When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed the great outdoors. He began trapping with his father as a young boy carrying it through to his adult life. He was a founding member of the Stanley Sportsman’s Club. He enjoyed many years with the Buck Meadows crew hunting, playing cards, and storytelling. Fishing was another of his passions and he was a long-time member of the Miller Dam Lake Association. Butch loved to take walks in the woods in the fall and smell the damp leaves and pine needles—how befitting he should pass during his favorite season of the year!
In 2009, Butch retired from the business but could never completely stay away, still feeling the desire to assist with funerals because “these were his people!” He felt so lucky to have had 50+ years doing what he truly loved.
On Aug. 28, 2010, Butch was united in marriage to Debbie Slowiak. They enjoyed 14 wonderful years together traveling, spending time with family and friends, and making memories.
He will be greatly missed by his wife, Debbie of Stanley; daughter, Sutton (Tim Ogle) of Jump River; daughter, Keeley (Tom MacNair); son, Rex (Kelli Unzicker) Plombon; and granddaughter, Genevieve MacNair, all of Portland, Oreg. He is also survived by his stepdaughter, Jessica; stepson, Levi (Hannah Winchell); step-granddaughter, Maddison Slowiak; mother-in-law, Sophie Bandur; sisters-in-law, Cindy Gagliardo, Peggy (Tom) Kluck, and Betty Plombon, all of Stanley. He is also survived by his niece, Diana Fox of Hoschton, Ga.; nephews, Richard (Doug Freelon) of San Francisco, Calif., Reid Plombon of Peoria, Ariz., John (Kristine) Wahr of Charlotte, N.C., Daniel (Erin) Plombon of Stanley, and Jeffrey (Holly) Wahr of Elmhurst, Ill. Butch was preceded in death by his parents, Severyn and Genevieve; his brothers, Severyn Jr. “Sevy” and William “Bill”; his twin sister, Katherine (‘Winky’) Wahr; his brother-in-law, Jack Wahr; his niece, Katherine “Kay” Plombon; and his nephews, Christian Dyer and David Plombon.
Butch’s family went beyond bloodlines. Anyone who met him would end up with a story or a bond that went deeper than friendship. If you met him only once, he would become like a father, uncle, or brother (but not your grandpa—“I’m not old enough” he’d say). We will forever remember our stories with him.
A visitation for Keith “Butch” Plombon will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. until 1:45 p.m. at the Plombon Funeral Home in Stanley, WI. A funeral mass will follow at 2 p.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church-Stanley and inurnment at Holy Family Catholic Cemetery.
Paid Obituary 158648
