Thomas R. “Tom” Plew, 70, North Webster, passed away at 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2017 at Grace Village Healthcare in Winona Lake. He was born on Sept. 25, 1946 to Bertis “Bert” and Julia (Bruno) Plew.

He graduated from Warsaw High School and earned a degree from Sam’s Technical Institute in Indianapolis. He served in the United States Navy for four years as a Machinery Repairman aboard the destroyer escort USS Calcaterra. On May 21, 1993 he was married in Warsaw to Elizabeth A. “Betty” (Burger) Schaffer who preceded him in death on February 17, 2014. He retired after 30 years from DePuy Orthopedics as a tooling services manager and was a certified manufacturing engineer. He was a lifetime Warsaw and North Webster area resident.

He was an active member of the Redeemer Lutheran Church of Warsaw where he held many offices including Elder and President & was a 50-year member of American Legion Post 253 serving as Post Adjutant and a member of the Honor Guard firing detail. In 2010, Tom was named North Webster Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year. He was a director and Weed Committee Chairman of the Webster Lake Conservation Association and was director and secretary of the Dixie Sternwheeler Inc. He was instrumental in the preservation of the historic Dixie Boat and spent many evenings on his back porch waiting for the Dixie to pass by.

He is survived by two sons: Ehren (Holly) Plew, Valparaiso; Cameron (Christa) Plew, Warsaw; step-son: Scott Schaffer, North Webster; best friend and companion, Cindy Berghoff, Columbia City; two grandchildren: Caroline and Wilbur; two sisters: Kathy (Don) LeCount, Leesburg; Jill (Ron) Cook, Warsaw; two brothers: Mike (Amy) Plew, Cape Charles, Va.; Kim Plew, Warsaw.

Many nieces and nephews

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 28 at Owen Family Funeral Home, St. Rd 13 & CR 500 N, North Webster and one hour prior to services on Tuesday at the church. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 29 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1720 East Center Street Warsaw, IN 46580 with Pastor Michael Mueller officiating. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday in the North Webster Cemetery.

Preferred memorials may be given to Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1720 East Center Street Warsaw, IN  46580. To send condolences to the family in memory of Tom Plew, please visit www.owenfamilyfuneralhome.com