Arthur H Ploetze

Mr. Arthur H. Ploetze, 88, loving husband of 65 years to Audrey (Stoll) Ploetze died Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016 at Westwood Hills Care Center in Poplar Bluff.

Other survivors include two children: Bruce Arthur (Shelley) Ploetze, Denise Suzanne Rowe all of Poplar Bluff; four grandchildren: Lauren (Jeff) Ploetze Houpt, Kristen Ploetze, Alisha Payne and Brett Payne.

Born Feb. 23, 1928 in St. Louis, Mo., the son of the late Harry C. and Lilly Grezebach Ploetze. He was the owner of Schaller Hardwood.

Mr. Ploetze was a member of the United Church of Christ, formally a member of the Eden United Church of Christ in St. Louis. He served in the United States Navy Seabee’s during the Korean War.

Mr. Ploetze is a past Director of the National Hardwood Lumber Association; A Past President of the Hardwood Distributors Association and a Past Director of the Missouri Forest Products Association.

He was active in Masonic affiliations having served as Master of Meridian Lodge # 2, AF & AM, St. Louis, Missouri and is past District Deputy of Grand Lodge of the State of Missouri. Mr. Ploetze is a member of the Moolah Shrine, a member of the Scottish Rite and a member of Three Rivers Shrine Club.

Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. A Masonic service will start at 1 p.m. and the funeral service to follow with the Dr. William Vail officiating. Burial will be at the City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Shrines Hospital, 4400 Clayton Ave, St. Louis, Mo., 63110 or to Salvation Army, 1130 Hampton Ave., St. Louis, Mo., 63139.