Illinois Harness
Horsemen's Association
Illinois Harness
Horsemen's Association
Monday October 2, 2017
Harness Owner Chris O’Connor Passes
Monday, September 11, 2017
Illinois Harness Horsemen Jim Ellison Passes Away
Wednesday , August 23, 2017
Remembering Harry Von Knoblauch
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Kate and Gary Rath’s Son Passes
If anyone would like to support Kate and Gary at this time, a fund has been set up for them and donations are being accepted through the horsemen’s bookkeeper at Hawthorne.
Monday, July 10, 2017
In Memoriam – Dwayne J. Pletcher July 27, 1931 — July 5, 2017
Dwayne Pletcher, 85, of Shipshewana, IN passed away on July 5, 2017 at 11:45 pm at Parkview LaGrange Hospital, LaGrange, IN. Dwayne was one of the nation’s top drivers and developers of colts and a member of one of Chicago’s most famous harness racing families. Dwayne was born in Goshen on July 27, 1931 to Lester and Irma Pletcher. He drove his first race the day before he turned 15 in 1946 at the Cassopolis, MI county fair, where in three heats with P.J. Volo he finished 2-2-1, his first win. He graduated from Shipshewana High School in 1949 and served in the US Army as a sergeant in Korea. Upon his return he resumed harness racing as his career and passion. Dwayne has won 1,477 races in his lifetime, including the Sportsman’s Park Midwest Derby three times with Transient in 1966, Teffe in 1970 and Overcast in 1973. Chaw, 1972 Illinois Horse of the Year, was campaigned by Dwayne. Others in the long line of top horses he’s handled include, Pacing Boy, Pepe Dancer, Shady Counsel, Right Honor, Galahad, Nemma Hanover, Sherry’s Honor, H.D. Counsel, Shady Mile, Sluf, Tuit and stakes winning Butter Up, Vieta, Miss Yankee Doodle and Perfect Illusion. Dwayne was the leading driver at Maywood Park in 1958, and 8th in the National Rating in 1959. He was a member of the Illinois Harness Horseman’s Association, the Indiana Standardbred Association, and the United States Trotting Association. Dwayne raced in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, New York Pennsylvania and California. He mentored both of his sons, Steve and Jeff, who also made harness racing their life’s work. Dwayne was preceded in death by his father Lester, mother Irma and brother Donald. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Areta, two sons Steve (Vickie) Pletcher and Jeff Pletcher, all of Shipshewana, grandson Brett (Amber) Pletcher and great grandchildren, Ethan, Landon and Bailey Pletcher of Topeka and brother Delmer Pletcher of Howe. No services will be held. Please send condolences to PO Box 6, Shipshewana, IN 46565 or donations to the Food and Clothes Basket in LaGrange, IN in Dwayne’s name. Online condolences may be sent at millerstewartfuneralhome.com.
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Loren Proefrock passes
Tuesday , February 14, 2017
Tony Salvaro passes away
Thursday, January 5, 2017
David Lee Snyder Passes
David Lee Snyder Obituary – Casey, Illinois | Markwell Funeral Home
Click below for more.
http://markwellfuneralhome.frontrunnerpro.com/book-of-memories/2811731/Snyder-David-Lee/obituary.php