Subscribe to updates for Earl LaPlante, Jr.

Earl “Buck”  “Duke”  LaPlante, 65 of Temperance, MI, died Tuesday, December 3, 2013 in Flower Hospital.  Born May 2, 1948 in Toledo, OH, he was son of Earl J. and Johanna (LaPointe) LaPlante, Sr. A 1966 graduate of Bedford High School, he served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He married Faye A. Reinhart on February 5, 1972. Earl was employed by Chrysler (Jeep) Corporation for 34 years, retiring 2001. He then owned and operated Bedford Stump Removal until present. He was a member of UAW, Local 12, Toledo. Earl was a supporter of several local sports, having helped start the Eagle Wrestling Club at Mason Consolidated School with Ron Fox, and was an avid fan and supporter of the Bedford High School Wrestling Program. He also coached 3-B Baseball for several years with Manny Valdez.

Earl is survived by his loving wife, Faye. Children, Cherilyn (Matthew) Schober of Sylvania, OH and William James LaPlante of Ottawa Lake, MI.  Grandchildren, Kathryn LaPlante, Wyatt and Marshall Schober.  Brother, LeRoy (Kim) LaPlante of Lambertville, MI.  Sister, Sue (Ron) Fox of Lambertville, MI.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be from 3-9 pm Sunday, December 8, 2013, at the Michael W. Pawlak Funeral Home, 1640 Smith Rd. (at Jackman) Temperance, MI.  Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, December 9, 2013, at 11:00 am at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 4605 St. Anthony Rd., Temperance, MI, where he will lie in state after 10:00 am. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Erie, MI. Memorials may be made to Bedford Wrestling.  www.pawlakfuneralhome.com