Chester Alvin Plunkett

Chester Alvin Plunkett, 85, of Monetta, passed away on Monday, January 12, 2026. The loving husband of Tobie S. Plunkett, who preceded him in death by just 12 days, he was born on September 6, 1940 in Saluda County, South Carolina. He was the youngest son of Chester Alvin Plunkett, Sr. and Cora Elise Ergle Plunkett and a life-long member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church.

While serving in the Army National Guard of South Carolina, Chester began his career at Fiberglas in Aiken. After several years there, Chester moved on to work for Daniel Construction on the V C Summer Nuclear project. Tackling the art of welding, he worked his way up through the ranks at Daniel Construction, becoming a welding superintendent with Fluor Daniel Corporation. In this capacity he and Tobie traveled across the country on various construction projects, living in Emporia, Kansas, Corpus Christi, Texas, Crystal River, Florida and Palatka, Florida, just to name a few.

Chester had many hobbies throughout his lifetime, enjoying sports including softball and basketball. In his younger years, he was quite the racing enthusiast, spending many a weekend at the racetrack with Mr. S. A. Dancy, racing go carts. Eventually he gave up racing and resigned himself to watching Nascar on TV, trading in his go carts for another love – bass fishing. He attacked this sport with great enthusiasm, becoming a member of the Bassmasters organization, fishing in tournaments, often on his beloved Lake Murray. While he traveled for work, he always looked forward to returning home for visits and couldn’t get his boat in the water quickly enough to go fishing!

He was also quite a spontaneous vacationer, surprising the family either on Friday night or very early Saturday with an impromptu trip to the beach or mountains for a few days.

Surviving are his daughters, Deborah Richardson (Tim) and Jan Rutland (Billy); step-daughter, Donna Barker (James) and step-son, Morgan Reynolds (Deborah); 12 grandchildren, Alex Richardson (Ellie), Joshua Richardson, Zachary Richardson (Becca), Caleb Richardson, Katelyn Rutland Phillips (Jonathan), Jessica Rutland, Will Rutland, Chuck Robison (Angela), Eleslie Patterson (Jeremy), Geoff Barker (Flor), Meghan Barker & Andrew Barker; 13 great grandchildren and 1 great, great grandchild; as well as several dearly loved nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife of 55 years and his parents, he is preceded in death by his sisters, Louise P. Burkett and Mildred P. Quarles; a brother, Leo Plunkett; as well as two brothers, Herbert & Clyde, who died in infancy.

The funeral service for Chester will be held on Thursday, January 15, at 3 o’clock at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church with a private burial following. Pastor Vollie Gibbs will officiate. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 2 o’clock.

Memorials may be made to Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, 164 Mount Pleasant Road, Ridge Spring, SC 29129, where its members and Pastor Vollie have been more than kind and faithful to both Chester and Tobie during the past several difficult years.

Milton Shealy Funeral Home, Batesburg-Leesville Chapel is assisting the family.