Joseph Elsworth PlastersSpringfield, IL Joseph Elsworth Plasters, 81, of Springfield, IL, died on Friday, April 1, 2011 at his home. Mr. Plasters was born on September 25, 1929, in West Frankfort, IL the son of Elan Plasters and Ethel Elzina (Jenks) Plasters. He married the former Phyllis Osburn on August 14, 1955 and she survives. Joe graduated from Thompsonville Community High School in 1948 and Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education with Business and Industry focus in 1955. He completed his Master of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Illinois Springfield in 1975. Joe worked for Illinois Bell Telephone/Ameritech from 1955-1990 retiring as Labor Relations Manager. He was instructor of business and management courses at Lincoln Land Community College from 1980-1991. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving from 1948 to 1952 during the Korean War. Joe attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and also received five bronze service stars. He attended Westminster Presbyterian Church and Hope Evangelical Free Church. Joe was a patient, fun-loving, devoted family man and loyal friend who always appreciated good times with others. He valued hard work, education, health & fitness, personal growth, and appreciation for the simple things in life. He enjoyed good conversation, fishing, traveling, beauty in nature, music, laughter, jokes/magic tricks/pranks, hiking/camping/outdoors, reading, writing, current events and story-telling. He was an intelligent, good-natured, down to earth, personable and diplomatic man whose sound and exemplary wisdom will always be remembered and whose loving presence will be sadly and greatly missed. Surviving relatives include his wife Phyllis Plasters, Springfield, IL, three daughters, Rebecca Lynn Merten and husband Matthew, Effingham, IL, Loretta Kay Goddard and husband Julian "Hule", Columbia, SC, Marcia Jo Plasters, Springfield, IL, one son, Eric Ellsworth Plasters and wife Dana, Glen Carbon, IL, six grandchildren, Sarah Jo Goddard, Jacqueline Michelle (Currie) Perdomo and husband Andrew, Julianne Kay Goddard, Dalton Joseph Homolka, Ethan Joseph Plasters, Addison Christine Plasters, one sister, Shirley Klein, Springfield, IL, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Mr. Plasters was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, Jason Lynn Currie, two sisters, Dorothy Bangert and Lois Fuhr, and one brother, Robert Plasters. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, April 4, 2011 at the Hobbs-Johnson Funeral Home, Benton, IL. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at the funeral home with Rev. Julian "Hule" Goddard officiating. Burial will be in the Plasters Grove Cemetery, Thompsonville, IL with military honors conducted by the Thompsonville American Legion. Memorial contributions may be made to the Plasters Grove Baptist Church, Thompsonville, IL, the Crecer Ministry to Boma, Dominican Republic (in memory of grandson Jason Currie) or the Alzheimer' Association and will be accepted at the funeral home. Visit www.hobbsjohnson.com to sign the memorial guestbook.