LT. COL. HENRY PLAWER

Lt. Col. Henry Plawer, 59, of Springfield, Illinois, formerly of Quincy, died at 12:04 p.m. Thursday (May 21, 2009) in his home.

Born September 15, 1949 in Quincy, Henry was the son of Ralph and Nona L. Powell Plawer. He was married to Marsha Herrington.

Henry was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ where he served as an Elder and Trustee, Senator Paul Simon's Academy Selection Board and was active with the Mississippi Valley Council Boy Scouts of America where he served as Scoutmaster and Unit Coordinator for Troop 51. Henry also studied and taught Aikido with the Sangamon Aikikai.

A 1967 graduate of Quincy High School, Henry attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Quincy College in 1972 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1976, after which he was admitted to the State of Illinois Bar.

Henry was an Adams County Assistant State's Attorney for Robert Bier until 1978, when he opened his private practice, the Law Office of Henry J. Plawer, where he practiced until 1997. From 1980 until 1997, Henry also practiced as an Assistant State's Attorney for Anthony Cameron, a Public Defender, Circuit Court of Adams County and Assistant City Attorney for the City of Quincy.

In 1997, Henry moved to Springfield where he was Assistant Attorney General for Jim Ryan until 2004 and had served as Special Assistant United States Attorney, Southern District of Illinois.

Henry became a First Lieutenant in the Illinois Army National Guard in 1987 with the Judge Advocate General's Corps where he was Trial Defense Counsel and later Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, HQ 33rd Infantry Brigade in Chicago. In 2002, Major Plawer became Chief, Military Justice, HQ 35th Infantry Division until 2003. From 2003 until 2004 he served as Command Judge Advocate, Det 3, HHC 35th Infantry Division, 66th Infantry Brigade. He attained his current rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2005 and was currently Assistant Staff Judge Advocate for the Joint Forces Headquarters in Springfield.

Lt. Col. Plawer's military awards include, Meritorious Service Medal, Combat Action Badge, Army Commendation Medal with third award, Army Achievement Medal, Reserve Components Achievement Medal with second award, National Defense Service Medal with third award, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Mobilization Device, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Training Ribbon and the Global War on Terrorism Support Medal.

Survivors include his mother, Nona Plawer of Quincy; two sisters, Annette Smith and her husband Darwin and Sr. Master Sgt. (Ret.) Betsy Powell both of Quincy; a sister in law, Wanda Plawer of Fithian, IL; five nieces, Amanda Sperry and her husband Greg, Dr. Miriah Volmerding and her husband Matt, Coriann Lyssy and her husband Benny, Cassandra Powell and Candice Powell; four nephews, Staff Sgt. Adam Plawer, Byron Smith, Lance Cpl. Andrew Smith and Zachary Smith; nine great nieces and great nephews; and many loving aunts, uncles and cousins.

Lt. Col. Plawer was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Plawer; and a brother, Brian Plawer.

Funeral services will be held Thursday morning at 10:00 in Trinity United Church of Christ by the Rev. Timothy White and Col. Richard Fox. Burial with Military Honors by the Illinois Army National Guard will be in Greenmount Cemetery.

Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 4:00 to 7:00 in the Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home in Quincy and Thursday from 9:00 until the time of services at Trinity United Church of Christ.

Memorials may be made to Trinity Church or the Mississippi Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America.