Barbara J. Planck's Obituary
Barbara J. Planck, age 88, passed away peacefully at her home Thursday morning, December 8, 2022, in Gainesville, Florida, with her daughters by her side. Barbara Jean Wood was born at home in College Corner, Indiana, delivered by her brother, Earl (age 11) on January 27, 1934 to Hubert and Rhoda Wood. She was the youngest of eight children.
Barbara, known as Jean, was raised on a farm in Whitewater, Indiana. She was responsible, at a young age, for many chores including milking the cows and doing laundry with a hand pump. Barbara participated in 4-H where she received ribbons for her baking. The first money she ever made was for detasseling corn as a young teenager. Barbara attended Whitewater schools through the 11th grade. She loved to attend sporting events, and even had the lead role in the school play.
Barbara had a short marriage to Robert Banning in 1951 and had her first daughter, Linda. As a single mother, she worked at Knollenberg’s where she met Jarrell (Jerry) Planck. They married in 1954, and had son, Michael, daughter, Jolonda and son, Kenneth.
Barbara’s sister, Lucille Scammahorn, watched the children while she continued to work with Jerry at a carpet and furniture store in Richmond, Indiana. They moved the family to Zionsville, Indiana, to work together for Paul Hyatt’s Carpet and Drapery store. They then moved to Carmel, Indiana, to work for John Kirk’s Furniture before opening their own store, Jerry Planck’s Home Furnishings on College Avenue. Upon its closing, they opened Custom Decorating in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Although Barbara worked full-time alongside Jerry, she made sure the family enjoyed a hot dinner together every night. As a couple, they entertained often. Her menus could take weeks to plan, but she enjoyed every minute. Her legacy was her love of cooking for her family and friends.
In 1977, Barbara and Jerry relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where they again worked together in home furnishings. In 1986, Jerry died suddenly of an aortic aneurysm at the age of 57. Barbara worked at Baer’s Furniture and then at Carl’s Furniture. She retired at the age of 74.
Barbara lived in Plantation, Florida with her daughter, Joy, and husband, Dave, along with their three children. As a family, they attended First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale. They later moved to Gainesville, Florida, where she lived with her daughter, Linda. Barbara’s son, Kenny, provided their home. As Barbara became disabled, her niece, Lucretia, assisted in providing her medical care. It was Linda who cared for her day and night. Whatever she needed, Linda was there for our mother with grace, love and unending patience.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Planck. She was the last surviving member of her family, (sister-in-law, Wanda Wood, survives). She is survived by her four children, Linda Humphreys, Jolonda (Joy) Hepler (David), and Kenneth Planck, all of Gainesville, Florida, Michael Planck (Amy) of Huntington, Indiana, and stepson, Jerry Planck (Diane) of Richmond, Indiana. Barbara was blessed with 6 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
A service will be held in the chapel at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens in Fishers, Indiana, on December 28, 2022, at 11:00 a.m.
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