Mary Jo "Jodi" Plake

Mary Jo (Jodi) Plake, age 87, passed away on December 31, 2018 at IU Health in Tipton. Jodi was born on September 15, 1931, to the late Raymond P. Cox and Fern (Browning) Cox.

Jodi was a lifelong resident of Tipton. She graduated from Tipton High School in 1949. Jodi spent years working in various positions, as a teller, loan secretary, and mortgage secretary, at National City Bank, until she retired in 1992. Jodi was a proud member of Rock Prairie Baptist Church, where she loved being a part of Jubilee and Women of Faith small groups. Jodi was an avid pet lover, and always had an animal in her care. She was also a lover of owls, and owned a large collection that decorated every aspect of her life. In her spare time Jodi enjoyed rooting for IU basketball, Indiana Pacers and Indianapolis Colts.  Jodi also enjoyed listening to country music. Her love of music even landed her at the Grand Ole Opry a time or two to listen to her favorite artist, Marty Robbins.

Jodi’s family describes her as being an unintentional comedian. She has been responsible for making them all laugh uncontrollably throughout the years. Along with Jodi’s great sense of humor, she was also a very loving woman, as she was often caught singing “You Are My Sunshine” to her grandchildren. Most importantly, Jodi was very strong in her faith, and made it a priority to spend time with the Lord every day. She set a great example for her family, as well as anyone else who crossed her path. Jodi was definitely the matriarch of her family and she will be greatly missed.   

Those left to carry on Jodi’s legacy of love are her children, Debbie Scharff Williams and Kim (Greg) Scharff Summers; Daughter-In-Law, Mary Ann Scharff; Grandchildren, Brad (Jennifer) Williams, Scott Williams, Kurt (Cheryl) Scharff, Nicole Summers Eller, and Justin (Emily) Summers; Great Grandchildren, Jacob and Brevin Williams; Gracie, Kole, and Maggie Scharff; Kendra, Chloe, and Ephraim Eller; and Joshua, Zachariah, Jonathan, Aveah, and Matthew Summers.

Jodi is also survived by special nephew, Eddy (Rose Ann) Pheanis, and their children; Step-Children, Rhonda (Marc) Purvis and Valerie (Rex) Heard; Grandchildren, Aaron Purvis, Jamie (Derrick) Taylor, Tricia (Jesse) Isaac and Crissy (Clint) Proffitt; Great-Grandchildren, Hayley and Harper Taylor; Ashlee, Sarah, Emily, and Hannah Isaac; and Abby and Tyler Proffitt; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Jodi was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond P. Cox and Fern (Browning) Cox; Husband, Bill Plake; Son, Jeff “Sarge” Scharff; and siblings, Robert Cox, Ruth Pheanis, and Dick Cox.

A funeral service celebrating Jodi’s life will be held on Friday, January 4, 2019 at 10:00am, at Rock Prairie Baptist Church, located at 421 Ash St. in Tipton, with Pastor Jerry Markins officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Tipton. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 3, 2019 from 5:00pm – 8:00pm at Rock Prairie Baptist Church.

Online condolences may be left on Jodi’s tribute wall.

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