Robert A. Plute
WWII veteran, carpenter, machinist, soccer player
Robert A. Plute, 89, of Houston, died Friday, August 2, 2013, in his home.
He was born September 12, 1923, in Castle Shannon, a son of Anthony and Katherine Maciejewski Plute.
Mr. Plute attended Cecil Township schools and obtained his GED when he returned from the service.
During World War II, he served in the Army in the South Pacific Theater. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 553 in Strabane.
Mr. Plute worked as a carpenter and machinist at the former Canonsburg Transformer, where he was active in the steelworkers union as an officer and grievanceman, retiring in 1968. He was an officer in the Active Retirees of Canonsburg, SOAR Chapter 15-8.
He was an avid soccer player and fan, having played for several local teams. He was a member of the Heidelberg team that won the National Amateur Cup and the West Penn Cup in the 1954-55 season.
On November 9, 1957, he married Marjorie Adams Pfender, who died March 19, 2004.
Surviving are three children, Jamie McNurlen (Ray) of Muse, Sherry Gross of Bridgeville and Lee Pfender (Alison) of Washington; six grandchildren, Scott Domske, Jessica Gross, Jesse McNurlen, Sgt. Justin McNurlen, Ed Pfender and Emmylou Ray (BJ); three great grandchildren, Jayla Domske and Blake and Marcus Ray; a sister, Alice Plute of Canonsburg; and several nieces and nephews.
A brother, Edwin Plute, and a sister, Gertrude Hatalsky, are deceased.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday in McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, owner/supervisor, 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston, PA 15342, where a blessing service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 6. Interment will be private. Full military honors will be accorded by VFW Post 191 of Canonsburg and American Legion Post 902 of Houston combined honor guard. Condolences may be left by viewing the obituary at www.mcilvaine-speakman.com.