David P Ploeger

David (Dave) Ploeger graduated from earth to his heavenly home at 7:15 a.m. on November 30th, embraced by his Savior, Jesus Christ. He was surrounded by his loving family in his home. Dave was born on October 1, 1949, in Finneytown, Ohio, and graduated from Finneytown High School in 1968. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and proudly served from 1969 to 1972.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rose M. (O'Brien) and Joseph B. Ploeger; brothers Joseph Ken Ploeger and Anthony David Ploeger; and stepson Samson L. Bowman.

Dave is survived by his brother Robert; loving children Erik Edward Ploeger (Jessica) and Jennifer Lyn Ploeger; grandchildren Adam Ploeger, Rachel Ploeger, and Travis Ploeger; and stepchildren Jennifer Bowman (surviving spouse of Samson Bowman), Heather Hypes (Chris), Holly Mutlu (Semih), Heidi Morse (Jonathan), and Shawn Bowman (JohnnieAnne). He is also survived by twenty-six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

In 1993, he met the love of his life, Regina (Jeanie) L. Allen, and they were married on Valentine's Day in 1997. They were best friends, sweethearts, and soul mates for 27 years.

Dave was a member of Trinity Baptist Church, where he served alongside Jeanie in the hospitality/food ministry. He was known for preparing 12 gallons of his homemade sausage gravy (a secret recipe) each year for the church’s Easter breakfast.

He was an avid coin collector and often participated in various coin and motorcycle shows, displaying and selling his coins. Dave was also a professional paintball player on the world’s second-place team, "Direct Hit." He owned and operated his own paintball field, "Seek & Exist," in Morrow, Ohio, which was selected by an international jury to host the 1990 World Champion Paintball Competition, attracting professional players from around the world. Dave and Jeanie enjoyed being members of the Findlay Classic Car Club, going "cruisin'," and attending car shows, where they exhibited their 1969 Rally Sport Camaro Convertible. He especially enjoyed giving the church’s teen group "thrill rides" in the car.

Dave never met a stranger and would light up every room with his corny jokes, keeping everyone in stitches. Even through challenging times, his laughter and faith in God sustained him.

He was previously employed by Oeder Trucking Company (Morrow, OH) as Safety Director before moving to Findlay, where he worked briefly for JDR Excavating Company. He traveled twice to the University of Wisconsin’s College of Engineering to complete classes to become a Certified Public Works Construction Inspector. This led to him working for Quest Engineers (Louisville, KY) as the on-site inspector for the City of Findlay’s 2-year Wastewater System Improvement Project. Following the completion of that project, he worked for Feller-Finch Engineering (Maumee, OH) and Blanchard Design Group Surveying/Engineering (Findlay), serving as the engineering site inspector for many local government projects. He retired from full-time employment in 2011. Soon after, he was appointed by the Cass and Marion Township Trustees as their Zoning Administrator/Inspector, where he served for 13 years and said the opportunity revealed to him the wonderful and friendly community in Hancock County. He also served on the Hancock Regional Planning Commission, representing Marion Township.

Services will be held on Tuesday, December 3rd, at Trinity Baptist Church, located at 7839 County Road 236, Findlay. The viewing will be from 9:00-11:00 a.m., followed by a private funeral service for family and close friends, with Pastor Ben Jennings and the Reverend Michael Gentry officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials in Dave's name be donated to the Trinity Baptist Church’s Veterans Ministry 

7839 County Road 236, Findlay, OH 45840

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