Bio-Krick, EvaJanePlumley

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Eva Jane (Krick) Plumley
(1868-1967)

Eva Jane (Krick) Plumley was born in 1868 in or near either Decatur, Adams County, IN, or in Monroeville, Allen County, IN, the daughter of Emanuel and Sarah Elizabeth "Betsy" (Minerd) Krick. She lived to be 99 years of age, and at the time of her death, the number of her living offspring numbered more than 190.

The family moved from Decatur to Monroeville during that time, but it is not known precisely enough to establish her birthplace.

On June 18, 1890, the 22-year-old Eva Jane married 23-year-old John West Plumley (1867-1947). He was the son of John W. and Elizabeth (West) Plumley of Muskingum County, OH.

Their children were Irma Jean (or "Imogene") Plumley, Owen M. Plumley, Ora B. Brown, George "Dewey" Plumley, James R. Plumley, Mary E. Leamon, Franklin H. Plumley, Clarence "Dale" Plumley and one who died in infancy during the 1890s.

They resided in Convoy, Van Wert County, and were longtime farmers on a farm that they owned. When the federal census was taken in 1900, the Plumleys resided just a few houses away from Eva Jane's brother and sister in law, James "Alfred" and Nellie (Plumley) Krick. By May 1910, when the census again was taken, their brood had swelled to eight children ranging in age from 17 years to nine months.

The 1920 census shows the family living on John Reed Road in Tully Township, Van Wert County.

Late in life, James suffered from anemia for two years, and died of its effects at the age of 75 on Feb. 4, 1947.

Eva Jane survived her husband by two decades. On April 4, 1967, at the age of 99, she fell and fractured her hip. Her health declined rapidly, and she passed away on less than three weeks later, on April 23, 1967. Following her funeral led by Rev. Robert Barkley, she was laid to rest beside James in the Convoy IOOF Cemetery. The Van Wert Times published an obituary calling her "one of the area's oldest residents." Dewey Plumley, their son, was the informant on John's death certificate.

Daughter Ima Jean (or "Imagene") Plumley (1892- ? ) wed (?) Hertel. They made their residence in Monroeville.

Son Owen M. Plumley (1894- ? )

Daughter Orah B. Plumley (1896- ? ) married (?) Brown. They lived in Fort Wayne in 1967.

Son George "Dewey" Plumley (1899-1969) married his first wife Esther Johnson ( ? - ? ) in July 1926. They had six children -- Harold Plumley, Russell Plumley, Robert Plumley, Dean Plumley, Chalmer Plumley and Eva Mae Rambo. They resided for a period of years in Decatur, IN. Said the Van Wert Times Bulletin in 1969, "He had been a resident of the Van Wert area for the past 10 years, and was engaged in farming prior to his retirement. He was a member of the Mt. Victory United Brethren Church and of its board of trustees. At one time, he served n the Decatur, Ind., school board." Sadly, Esther passed away sometime before 1965. He married his second wife, Ferne Adams Alexander ( ? - ? ) in November 1965. She had a son and foster son from a previous marriage -- Tom Alexander and James Adams. The Plumleys lived on Route 3 near Van Wert in 1967. In 1967 and again in 1968, Ferne assisted in a local Red Cross fundraising effort to "purchase contents for Christmas bags to be sent to servicemen in Vietnam," said the Times Bulletin. She "expressed appreciation to Van Wert County residents for their spirit of cooperation in last year's drive and said it was hoped the same spirit would prevail this year (1968)." During the winter of 1968-1969, Dewey and Ferne vacationed in Tucson, AZ. Having been in ill health for two years, Dewey suffered a heart attack and died in Tucson on Feb. 16, 1969, at the age of 70. His remains were returned to Convoy for burial. At the time of his death, he was survived by 24 grandchildren.

Son Harold Plumley lived in Muncie, IN.
Son Russell Plumley resided in Muncie, IN.
Son Robert Plumley made his home in Monroeville.
Son Dean Plumley lived in Monroeville.
Son Chalmer Plumley resided in Fort Wayne.
Daughter Eva Mae Plumley married (?) Rambo. Their home was in Bloomington, IN.

Son James R. Plumley (1901- ) made his home in Fort Wayne in the 1960s and '70s. In December 1933, he and his brother Dewey and cousin Orlan Krick were elected officers of the Monroe Council of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, as reported in the Van Wert Daily Bulletin.

Daughter Mary E. Plumley (1904- ? ) married W.K. Leamon.( ? - ? ) on Aug. 4, 1923. They lived in Fort Wayne, where W.K. was employed by the Fort Wayne Transit Company. They had 13 children -- Frieda Lacy, Joan Patton, Greta Strickler, Naomi Jewett, Martha Powers, Donald Leamon, Paul Leamon, Joseph Leamon, Joshua Leamon, Rev. David Leamon, Pauline Leamon, Dale Leamon and Frank Leamon. At their golden wedding anniversary in August 1973, their children hosted an open house at the People's Trust and Bank Company in Waynedale. The Van Wert Times Bulletin ran their photograph portrait and a short article, seen here. At the time, the Leamons had 31 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Son Franklin H. "Frank" Plumley (1906- ? ) resided in the 1960s in Fort Wayne. Nothing more about him is known, but more will be added once learned.

Son Clarence "Dale" Plumley (1909-1974) married Helen (?). They had two daughters -- Elaine Mumma and Vivian Thompson. Dale and Helen made their home in Fort Wayne. He "was a foreman at International Harvester in Fort Wayne before retiring after 41 years of service with the firm," said the Van Wert Times Bulletin. (Seen at left is International Harvester's famed tower, a landmark in Fort Wayne.) He was a member of South Side Church of the Nazarene and Three Rivers Lodge of the Masons. Dale died at home at the age of 66 on Oct. 16, 1974. His funeral was held at Klaehn's South Anthony Chapel in Fort Wayne, followed by interment at the Convoy IOOF Cemetery.