Edward C. Placko, 84, of Oregon, Ohio, passed away on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Ed was born in Cleveland, Ohio on January 25, 1932 to Andrew and Mary (Gaul) Placko. After graduating high school, Ed joined the US Marine Corps. He proudly served his country during the Korean War where he received the Purple Heart. Ed married the love of his life 58 years ago, Veronica (Singlar) at St. Mark Lutheran Church where he became a member. He worked for Libbey Owens Ford until his retirement in 1997. Ed was past commander of Dunberger American Legion Post and was director of the Color Guard. He was an avid Cleveland sports fan; especially, the Cleveland Indians. His passion for baseball continued into coaching in the city of Oregon for 28 years. Ed was a truly great man that cherished the time he spent with his loving family. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
Ed is survived by his wife of 58 years, Veronica; daughter, Kim (Jeff) Kruse; son Mark (Tari) Placko; granddaughters, Megan (Brodie) Buehler, Tiffany (J.T. Imperial) Wamhoff, Heather (Brett) Tscherne; step-grandchildren, Tim (Daven) Kruse and their children; Kyle Kruse; great-grandchildren, Chase and Collin Buehler, Haven and Harlee Imperial and one on the way; and sister Dolores (James) Schimming. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Don.
Friends may visit Eggleston Meinert & Pavley Funeral Home, Oregon Chapel, 440 S. Coy Road on Monday, March 28, 2016 from 2:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Dunberger Post Color Guard Services will take place at 7:00 pm. Funeral services will take place in the funeral home on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park. Expressions of sympathy in Ed’s name may be directed to, St. Mark Lutheran Church, Dunberger American Legion Post Color Guard, Hospice of Northwest Ohio, or Charity of Donor’s Choice. Semper Fi!

Veterans are invited to a free breakfast and flag raising ceremony on Memorial Day, May 30, 7 a.m. at the Christ Dunberger Post on Pickle and Wynn roads in Oregon.
The East Toledo Club is sponsoring the event for the 83rd consecutive year. The first flag raising was held in 1933 at Pearson Park, which was the site for more than 75 years. In recent years, the club has partnered with the Dunberger Post to honor the men and women who have served our country.
Veterans do not have to belong to a post to attend. The ceremony starts with the honor guard raising the flag at 7 a.m. followed by the playing of Taps. Breakfast is served at 7:30.
This year’s speaker is Capt. Melanie Grosjean, the 180th Force Support Squadron Operations Officer, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator and Director of Personnel at the Toledo Air National Guard Base in Swanton.
Capt. Grosjean enlisted in the Ohio Air National Guard in 1992. In 2008, Capt. Grosjean received her commission to 2nd Lt. from the Academy of Military Science at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Knoxville, Tennessee.
Capt. Grosjean was a member of the enlisted force for 16 years as a drill status guardsman within the Services Flight. Throughout her career in Services, Capt. Grosjean trained in various locations to increase expertise within her career field, including overseas missions to Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa in 1999 and Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany.
In 2013, Capt. Grosjean was selected to become a full-time federal technician within the Force Support Squadron as the Human Resources Officer and Director of Personnel. Capt. Grosjean oversees 16 full-time staff through the week, ensuring effective customer service, readiness and capability within the Force Support Squadron. In 2014, Capt. Grosjean took on an additional duty as the 180th Fighter Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, leading a team of four alternate SARCs and Victim Advocates, providing services and training to the wing populace. That same year, Capt. Grosjean was selected as the Company Grade Officer of the Year, chosen amongst 27 assigned company grade officers. In the absence of a Force Support Squadron Commander, Capt. Grosjean was selected as acting Commander for the squadron for 9 months in 2015, leading 54 Airmen assigned until the new Commander was selected. She is also the current President of the Company Grade Officer Council.