Obituary index

Gretchen Plotner

[March 18, 2025]  BELLVILLE — Gretchen Plotner, nee Nolting, age 89, of Belleville, IL, formerly of Lincoln, Illinois, born on January 26, 1935, in Springfield, IL, died on Thursday, December 5, 2024, in Belleville, IL.

Visitation: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Friday March 28th at the First Presbyterian Church, 301 Pekin Street in Lincoln

Service: 4 p.m. March 28th at the church

Funeral home: Kassey Mortuary

Obituary

Gretchen Plotner, nee Nolting, age 89, of Belleville, IL, formerly of Lincoln, Illinois, born on January 26, 1935, in Springfield, IL, died on Thursday, December 5, 2024, in Belleville, IL.

Gretchen lived a full and happy life with friends and family. She met her love and partner for life, Les, in college. They married on August 28, 1955 and together raised three sons. Gretchen was actively involved in her family’s many activities and her sons were her great pride and joy. She was an avid sports fan, particularly of the University of Illinois’ Fighting Illini, but even more so of her children’s and grandchildren’s school athletics. Gretchen seemed to relish her time sitting in the bleachers, and quietly demonstrated her knowledge of the rules when a referee made a bad call. Gretchen was a skilled tennis player and fisherwoman, passing along her love for both to her children and grandchildren.

Gretchen retired as a Jury Commission Clerk in Logan County, IL after over 20 years of service. An active community member, Gretchen was a founder of the annual Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival. She also served as a deacon at the First Presbyterian Church in Lincoln, IL. Gretchen had many friends, and loved spending cocktail hour with them and her husband. She was comfortable and contented with people at the kitchen table, a cozy tavern, or a restaurant. She especially looked forward to trips with friends to Ulrich Lake, Biloxi, Mississippi, and Sarasota, Florida. Gretchen welcomed new friends of all ages to her fold.

Gretchen was preceded in death by her parents, Bryan and Betty, nee Goins, Nolting; and her brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Nadine Nolting. Left to mourn her passing and celebrate her life is her husband of 69 years, Lester D. Plotner; and her three sons and their spouses, who Gretchen considered to be her daughters, Greg and Laura Plotner of Tampa, FL, Kent and Ellen Plotner of Swansea, IL, and Eric and Shauna Plotner of Morton, IL. Gretchen is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, who called her Momo: Erin (Dan) Hubert; Danny Plotner, Michael Plotner, Mason Plotner, Jared Plotner, Blake Plotner, Brittney (Patrick) Livesay, and David Plotner; and her great grandchildren, who called her G-Momo: Bailey Hubert, Reagan Hubert, Sloane Hubert, Madeleine Livesay, Cooper Livesay, and Caleb Livesay.

She loved spending time with all of them. Also surviving are her sister-in-law, Valjean Raab of Lake Forest, Il; and her nephews, David (Dennis) Raab of Lake Forest, IL, and Blaine (Shelly) Raab of Scottsdale, AZ.

Condolences may be made to the family at www.kasslyfuneral.com.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or First Presbyterian Church, Lincoln, IL.

Visitation and Funeral services will be held for Gretchen at the First Presbyterian Church in Lincoln on Friday, March 28, 2024.

Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. with service immediately thereafter.