Ethelene Plummer

Ethelene Alice Plummer, age 88, of Osawatomie, formerly of Paola, passed away February 5, 2011 at the Life Care Center in Osawatomie. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, February 12, 10:00 AM at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Paola. Rosary will take place Friday, February 11, at 6:00 PM and Visitation 6:30 to 8:00 PM at Penwell-Gabel Paola Chapel. Burial at Holy Cross Cemetery in Paola. Memorials may be made to Catholic Charities or Southwest Indian Relief Counsel. Ethelene was born on March 26, 1922 in Paola, Kansas to Andrew S. and Ethel J. Honn Scherman. She was the 9th of 11 children. Along with her brothers and sisters, she enjoyed tree climbing and sitting on the barn at the family farm west of Paola. She and her siblings were known around town as Scherman's Army. She attended St. Patrick's grade school and Paola High School where she graduated with honors as Valedictorian in 1940. During WWII she worked at Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, CA to help the war effort as a 'Rosie the Riviter'. She was married to James F. Plummer in January 1947, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Paola, KS where she was a lifelong member. During her married years, she was an excellent mother and homemaker, famous for her wonderful meals and baked goods. In addition to having 4 of her own children, she openly welcomed many from outside the family as her own. Her favorite hobby was quilting, but Ethelene also enjoyed sewing baby clothes, pencil sketching and nature walks. She was very interested and had a quest for knowledge of history and culture. Ethelene enjoyed her vegetable gardens, kittens, and taking short trips. She remained active in the church Altar Society and eventually served as Archdiocesan Head of the Mission Committee and remained in that position for several years. She personally made and sent thousands of baby layettes, bedding, and bandages all over the world. Preceding her in death were her parents, 5 brothers Louis Scherman, Robert Scherman, Ernest Scherman, Bernard Scherman, and Donald Scherman, and 4 sisters, Evelyn Butel, Ellen Marie Maher, Iva Miller, and Grace Stephens. She will be dearly missed by family and friends. Survivors are daughter Roberta Scheckel of Paola, son Don Kantorv of Lawrence, son Joseph Plummer of Paola, son Neal Plummer of Paola, brother Jerry Scherman of Paola, 7 grandchildren, Beth Sears, Andy Stainbrook, Cole Plummer, Matt Johann, Angie Smith, Katie Griffin, Mari Fonsara, and great-grandchildren Forest and Chelsea Sears, Drew and Emmy Smith, Jayce Johann, and Brielle Rose Griffin. Holy Trinity Catholic Church Paola Service: Saturday, February 12, 2011 10:00 AM Visitation: Friday, February 11, 2011 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM Rosary 6:00 PM