William B. "Pump" Ploeger's Obituary
William B. “Pump” Ploeger, age 90 of Greensburg, Indiana, passed away Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at his home. Born August 21, 1933, in Batesville, Indiana, he is the son of Minnie (Nee: Wolter) and Edward Ploeger and was the first of six children that grew up on the farm outside of St. Maurice, Indiana. He married the love of his life, Evelyn Litmer on January 30, 1969, at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral in Cincinnati, Ohio and she preceded him in death, May 18, 2002. He was a member of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church – St. John Campus, Rushville Steam Engine Club, and the Power of the Past in Greensburg
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Pump attended St. Maurice School and Clarksburg High School until entering the workforce with Stewart Brothers. He then went on to work for Moorman Sawmill in St. Maurice and Hillenbrand Industries, before retiring. In retirement, he went back to work operating a saw for Wilhelm’s Sawmill and then M&M Grains, north of Clarksburg.
Pump was an avid fan of Midget three quarter track and Sprint Car racing and would often attend races with his friend Skip Brown at favorite tracks in Gas City, Lawrenceburg, Winchester, Indiana, and other surrounding venues.
He enjoyed spending time tearing apart old equipment to see how they worked and would then reassemble them to their original condition, with John Deere being one of his favorites.
According to his family, “Pump always offered his opinion, whether you wanted it or not, but it ended up that he was always right!”
Pump was a regular at the Midtown Diner at New Point, where he loved to eat and socialize. He was a true storyteller and often would remember things from long ago which have become great memories for his family.
He is survived by his sisters Betty Lecher of Greensburg and Jeanie (Bob) Sexton of Avon, Ohio; brother Ronald Ploeger of Greensburg; many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews and “Adopted Granddaughter” Grace Allgeier of Batesville. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his sisters Sr. Assunta Ploeger OSF and Irene Ploeger.
Visitation is Saturday, September 16th, from 9 – 11 a.m., at St. Catherine of Siena Church – St. John Campus in Enochsburg, Indiana. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m., with Fr. Bill Ehalt officiating. The burial will be in the church cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Cemetery Fund or the New Point Fire Department.
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