Ronald P. Plantone, 78, of Palmer Township, PA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at his home with his family by his side after a courageous three-year battle with cancer.
Born May 25, 1947, in Easton, PA, he was the son of the late Helen (Gutai) Plantone, and the grandson of the late Paul and Marguerite Gutai, who helped raise him.
He and his loving wife, Marsha (Strunk) Plantone, celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary on February 2, 2025.
Ron graduated from Easton Area High School, Class of 1965, and Rochester Institute of Technology in 1969.
He grew up working on the family produce farm on Green Pond Road in Palmer Township. Years ago, he was employed by the former R & S Printers, Northampton and the former Christmas Club A Corp, Forks Township.
He later graduated from Simmons School of Mortuary Science in 1978 and became a licensed funeral director in 1979. Ron joined his wife’s parents, the late H. Allen and Ruth A. Strunk, as a licensed funeral director with the Strunk Funeral Home, Inc., Southside Easton. Ron and his wife, Marsha, purchased the funeral home in 1980 and acquired a second location in Wilson Borough in 1984 to expand their service to the greater Easton community. Ron was very proud that his daughters continued the family tradition as third generation owners of the Strunk Funeral Home, Inc.
Over the years, he and his wife vacationed, sometimes with family and friends, making memories on cruises and trips to several islands and throughout the United States. To his grandchildren, he was “Poppy,” and he proudly followed all their sports, events, and accomplishments.
Ron loved hosting clambakes at his pool throughout the summer, soaking in the view from his patio and riding his lawnmower. He enjoyed annual bass fishing trips to Canada with friends for over 40 years more for the time spent catching up with them out on the boat than for the number of fish caught. Years ago, he bowled in a league at Bar-Don Lanes.
He formerly served on the board of directors of Hay’s Cemetery for 20 years and on the board of the former Citizens Savings & Loan, Wilson Borough.
Ron was a member of United Fellowship Lutheran Church, Wilson Borough. He had been a member of the former St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Southside Easton, where he was a Sunday school teacher and served on church council.
He was also a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and the Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Marsha, are “his girls”, Melissa Plantone Recchia and her husband Nick and Stephanie Plantone-Hubbard and her husband Anthony, both of Palmer Township; five grandchildren, Alayna Recchia and her fiancé Andrew Hall, Andrew Recchia, Cameron Hubbard, Alisyn Recchia and Braydon Hubbard; a sister, Donna Ruth; two sisters-in-law, Lorraine Plantone and Susan Sabatine and her husband Nicholas III; a brother-in-law, Allen Strunk and his wife Stacy; many nieces and nephews; and his grand dogs, Milo and Marvin. He was predeceased by a brother, Edward Plantone.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Yacoub J. Faroun and the St. Luke’s Anderson Campus Infusion Center team for their exceptional care and compassionate support throughout Ron’s cancer journey.
Services will be held at 10:30am Wednesday, September 24th in the Strunk Funeral Home, Inc., 2101 Northampton Street, Wilson Borough. Call Tuesday from 4-7pm and Wednesday 9:30-10:30am in the funeral home. Interment will be held at the convenience of the family in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Offer online condolences at www.strunkfh.com.
During Ron’s recent battle with leukemia, the support of Miller-Keystone Blood Bank was crucial. If you are able, please consider giving blood or platelets as the need is critical. Memorial gifts may be made to Miller-Keystone Blood Center, Attn.: Development Office, 1465 Valley Center Parkway, Bethlehem, PA 18017 www.giveapint.org; Blood Cancer United-Donor Service, PO Box 98018, Washington, DC 20090-8016 www.bloodcancerunited.org or Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF), P.O. Box 1532, Hagerstown, MD 21741 www2.breakthrought1d.org.