Stanley James Pleninger, 88, of Hopp died Monday, Sept. 17, 2007, at Benefis Health Care in Great Falls, Montana of natural causes.
Cremation will take place. His memorial graveside service will be 1 p. m. Friday at the Big Sandy Cemetery with full military honors. A community fellowship luncheon will be held at the Big Sandy Historical Society at 2 p.m. Stanley was born July 9, 1919, in Hopp on the family homestead to Stanislav and Anna (Zoubek) Pleninger. He was raised and educated in country schools until the eighth grade. He worked for many farmers and ranchers in the area until he was inducted into the Civilian Conservation Corps in September of 1937. He was released from his duties with the CCC on March 1, 1937, and returned to Big Sandy. Stanley began working for his neighbors farming and also trapped for some time. Stanley worked various jobs until he was drafted into the U. S. Army Air Force in March of 1942 to serve in World War II. He was transferred from the Air Force over to the 186th Infantry 41 First Division in the Spring of 1945 and received his basic infantry training in Texas. He then served in the European Theater and the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged in February of 1946. He again returned to Big Sandy to farm with his father. In the Spring of 1948 he became engaged to Martha May Lohse and the couple married June 1, 1949, and made their home on the farm in Hopp, which was 32 miles southeast of Big Sandy. Together they farmed and raised their family of five boys. Stanley enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and camping. He enjoyed his time with his family and his grandchildren and always enjoyed a good game of pinochle with family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Keith Pleninger in 1982; sister, Mary Reichelt; and a twin infant brother at birth. Stanley is survived by his wife, Martha of Big Sandy; sons: Steve (Isola) Pleninger of Polson, Les (Margaret) Pleninger of Park City, Calvin (Susan) Pleninger of Anderson, Indiana and Robert (Carol) Pleninger of Havre; 14 grandchildren; eight greatgrandchildren; sisters, Bessie Burgess of Eugene, Ore., Mildred (Gary) Grover of Livermore, Calif., and Lassie (Don) Bramlette of Floweree; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions in Stanley’s honor may be made to the Big Sandy Medical Center; The Big Sandy Historical Society; Big Sandy Senior Center or to the Big Sandy Library. Arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.
