Ronald Austin Plunk passed away at his home in Joliet, on Friday, March 28, 2025, suddenly of cardiac arrest. A Memorial Gathering will be held at Shackelford Funeral Directors, 619 East Main Street in Henderson from 9 a.m.-noon. Saturday, April 19. As it was his request, cremation rites have been accorded. Inurnment will follow at Mars Hill Cemetery, 5948 Leapwood Enville Road, Adamsville, where he will be laid to rest with his wife. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to K9S for Veterans.
He was born March 29, 1948, in McNairy County, to the late Ezra and Jewel (Austin) Plunk
He left his home in Tennessee at the age of 15 and moved to Chicago. A few years later while working at the Johnson Paybox factory, he met the love of his life, Margaret Lenihan, an Irish immigrant with a lively personality. They moved to Joliet in 1976 and made it their home the rest of their lives. They were married for 50 years before she passed. He was a proud Veteran serving in the United States Marine Corp.
He was well-known as a strong, honest and forward-thinking businessman. He came up with an idea and, together with Margaret, made it happen. He and his wife started numerous businesses in the area, including Allied Landscaping and Allied Nursery, Joliet Asphalt and Austin Tyler Construction. His employees were like a second family to him and his wife. He was a member of the Irish American Society County of Will. He and his wife were honored as “Irish Person of the Year” for their contributions to their community.
His greatest love was his family and friends. In 2000, they built a home in Huatulco, Mexico, where family and friends would enjoy the warmer weather. Their favorite time away was large family gatherings at the “Ponderosa” that were legendary and full of laughter and love. He loved any critter he encountered and had pets of every sort and size, but his favorite was Duke, a puppy he found in a drainage culvert and brought home.
He is survived by his children, Tina (Michael Cannella) Plunk and Ronald (Stacey) Plunk; grandchildren, Haley (Anthony) Donzella, Julie (Jose Aranda) Quigley, Olivia Plunk, Austin Plunk and Alexa Plunk; great-granddaughter, Cara Donzella; sisters, Shirley (late Ray) Evans, Brenda (Otha) Garrett and JoEllen (Charles) Garrett; and cherished nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Margaret Lenihan Plunk; his parents; brothers, Larry Neal Plunk (in infancy), Kenneth Ray “Bud” Plunk, Eugene Plunk and Randy Plunk; sisters, Gail (Kenneth) Clement and Janice (Jimmy) Lindsey; his in-laws, John and Catherine (Harrington) Lenihan of County Kerry, Ireland; and dear nephews, Greg and Jeff Evans.
