Charles PlateCharles Plate
Charles Harold Plate, 101, of Wesley Village and Everly House in Macomb, formerly of Ipava, died at 2 a.m. Aug. 12, 2018, at Wesley Village.
He was born March 5, 1917, in rural Vermont, a son of Charles and Lena Kelly Plate. He married Ruth Hammond on Nov. 4, 1944, in Ipava. She preceded him in death on Aug. 3, 1988.
He also was preceded in death by one brother and two sisters.
Surviving are one daughter, Janeen Lee of Springfield, Va.; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
He was a member of Ipava Christian Church.
He was a lifelong farmer turned World War II veteran, serving with the U.S. Army from January 1941 through October 1945 an infantry sergeant. Briefly returning to farming after the war, he moved to California in 1956 to work with Lockheed aviation in Burbank, Calif. Both witness and technician to history, he helped to build several “Skunk Works” projects including the U.S. “Dragon Lady” and SR-71 “Black Bird” reconnaissance aircraft. Following his retirement from Locked-Martin in 1979, he remained in California to stay close to his daughter and grandchildren, returning to Illinois in 1995 to hobby-farm and travel with his high school friend and second wife Violet Davis Plate, whom preceded him in death.
Cremation has been accorded. A memorial service with inurnment will be held at a later date in Ipava Cemetery. Henry-Lange Funeral Home in Lewistown is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to any charity of the donor’s choice.
Condolences may be sent to henrylange.com.
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