MICHAEL PLETZ SR 

 After a VERY long fight of over 4 years with pancreatic cancer my father passed away June 12th 2008. The family would like to thank all of the doctors and nurses that worked so hard to keep him with us for as long as possible. He had the greatest team of medical professionals that any family could ever ask for, they did everything they could to keep him with us as long as possible, they fought for him as hard as he fought. Doctor Herbert Zeh and his team did more than any family could ever hope for, they were not only professional but the most caring and understanding team you could ever hope to have, to them we say a very special thank you.  We would also like to thank all of the friends that helped us keep him at home by providing support via visits, phone calls, thoughtful cards, and prayers during this very difficult time, without you it would have been much harder to get him home and keep him there. My dad was a great fighter who never gave up and through all the pain and suffering he never lost his faith. When people would ask what keeps him fighting the answer was always the same his faith and his family. This terrible disease robs families of loved ones at an alarming rate, we lost a great role model as a husband, father, bother, grandfather, friend, and most important a great role model as a person. It would have been so easy to just give up and fall asleep, but with every new challenge he fought so much harder for the little goals. To spend time with his grandchildren Chris and Brit at Disney World, to make it to his 40th wedding anniversary party that his daughter worked so hard to make possible, to spend 1 more day with his wife of over 40 years, and to see me get married, and to get to know Amy, Colton and Conner better. While he did not get to do the last one he had many good days, he will always be in our hearts. I am very proud to share his name.