Paul Gilbert Plumley Jr. passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on Thursday April 7, 2016.

Paul was born May 30, 1929 in DeKalb, IL to Paul Gilbert Sr. and Anna Plumley. Paul married the love of his life, Karna Louise Eckberg in Ashton, IL on June 10, 1951. They were married for 62 years.

Our dad, Paul, was a loving husband, father and friend. In dads high school years and college, he was an exceptional athlete. He played basketball, football, and ran track. Paul played on the varsity football team at NIU his freshman year in college. He also played college basketball. He was a Golden Gloves boxer, and played basketball on an AAU team. After college he coached at St. Patrick's School in Rochelle.

Dad was a letter carrier for the US postal service for 30 plus years. The folks on his route came to know that they would be greeted with a smile or a helping hand if need be. Whether it was a light bulb that needed changing or a sidewalk that needed shoveling. After Dad retired from the Post office, he and Mom opened Plumley Interiors, a paint and framing shop.

Dad and Mom had a rich and full life together raising five children and making many fond memories for us. When our family grew in size, our dad rolled up his sleeves and helped build a new house for his growing family. He was always putting in extra hours to provide for us kids. Numerous gathering of picnics, camping , holiday parties, playing cards and family vacations were to follow.

Fond memories of our dad are many. He was a hard worker who at the end of the day would sport his favorite outfit: a short-sleeved white T-shirt with a cold beer in his hand and let us kids climb all over him like a tall strong mountain.

Dad enjoyed his fishing trips and making up silly songs about us kids. Our dad believed that if we were sick or not feeling well, that a chocolate shake from Country School would always nurse us back to health. And of course, back in the day our dad could always 'rock' the comb-over...... oh Dad we will miss you! The twinkle in your blue eyes, that smirk of a smile and your laugh. Now you will join the greatest fisher of all men, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Paul is lovingly remembered and survived by his children: Janna (Don) Hunt of DeKalb, Lisa Rainwater of Rochelle, Mark Plumley of Forest Park, Todd Plumley of Rochelle, and Marcie (Dan) Gailey of Rockford: eight grand children (plus one): Ryan Hunt and Katie (Reece) Bend, Matthew Rainwater, Lynzie and Karlie Plumley, Aulbrey (Dave) de Alwis, Olivia (Luis) Hermosillo, Ethan Gailey and Jae (Tessa) Lee, two great grand children: Jessenia and Camila Hermosillo. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his brother Don, son-in-law Darrell Rainwater and grandson, Phillip Rainwater.

We would like to send out a special thanks to the caregivers who have taken care of our father for the past two years: Rebecca and Abe Rednour, and an extra special thank you to Maddie Mendoza, you gave dad so much love, you became his fourth daughter! Thank you to Serenity Hospice, you eased the pain and made this journey a little easier for us.

The visitation will be held on Tuesday April 12th from 3:00 - 5:00 pm at Unger- Horner Funeral Home, 400 N 6th St., Rochelle with a service immediately following at 5 pm. Burial will be at Lawnridge Cemetery. Please join us for a fellowship dinner at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1415 10th Avenue, Rochelle at 6:00 pm. Memorial to Serenity Hospice and Home. Guest book at www.UngerHorner.com