Freda Mae Pleak

Freda Mae Volz Pleak, the 93 year old matriarch of the Pleak family, and wife to Walter Eugene Pleak, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 23, 2014. Freda is remembered for her sweet smile, her determination, her love of family, friends, church, and of course her family business. Freda was born November 3, 1920 in Lookout of Ripley County. ). She was the beloved daughter of Alex and Mary Catherine (Mamie Crum) Volz. Freda was a 1938 graduate of Osgood High School where she was a cheerleader. She was preceded in death by her parents Alex and Mamie, two sisters Evelyn Pitts and Viola Damm, two brothers Louis and Charles Volz, her husband Walter Eugene Pleak, and son Walter Eugene Pleak Jr. Freda grew up as member of St. Pius Catholic Church in Ripley County. Her grandfather Alexius Volz donated the land for the school and the church to be built on for $1. Years later, Freda and her husband Walter could always be found working the quilt booth at the annual summer St. Pius picnic. Freda met her husband Walter at a dance in Liberty Park, Batesville, Indiana. Walter swept Freda off her feet and even earned permission from Freda’s brother Charles to drive her home that evening. The two were married on July 26, 1941 in the rectory of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Greensburg. Their love and commitment for each other is recorded throughout their 71 years of marriage. The two fought life’s battles side-by-side. When Walter was deployed during WWII, they sent pictures and notes full of love and hope to each other and Freda raised turkeys and quilted. In 1958, Walter and Freda began what would be a life-long career in business after they bought the oldest hardware store in downtown Greensburg, Corbett & Craig. Freda and Walter worked side-by side for 55 years at Pleak’s Do-It Center. Freda belonged to St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She also was a member of the Daughters of Isabella and Delta Tau Delta sorority. Freda was an outstanding cook, pie maker, and baker, often cooking meals for local nuns. Freda is survived by two children, Cheryl (Rock) Linville of Greensburg, Richard (Terri) Pleak of Greensburg; two grandchildren Sonja Linville of Greensburg, and Alex Linville of Phoenix, Arizona; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will take place Sunday, January 26 from 2-5 pm at Porter– Oliger-Pearson Funeral Home, with a Rosary Service at 1:30 pm. A celebration of life will begin at 10 am Monday, January 27 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Mary’s Church Building Fund.