SGM Steve Plaster

Sergeant Major Steven Jerome Plaster was born February 28, 1950, to Don Porter and Imogene Faye (Grubb) Plaster, and departed this life March 29, 2026, at 76 years of age.

Steve grew up in Wright County, Missouri, and he was saved and baptized when he was 12 years old at New Hope Free Will Baptist Church near Hartville, Missouri. He graduated from Mansfield High School with the class of 1968 and then joined the United States Army. He went to basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and was then deployed to Vietnam. His first assignment was as a Demolition Expert with the 8th Engineer Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam.

He returned home in 1970 and was united in marriage to Cynthia Ellen Price on April 4, 1970, and two children were born to this union: Daniel Joseph and Laura Jean. His young family was stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, and, in 1971, he was deployed to Heilbronn, Germany, and was assigned as a Squad Leader with the 237th Engineer Battalion. He returned to the States in 1974, and was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and was again assigned as a Squad Leader with the 326th Engineer Battalion and the 20th Engineer Battalion. In 1976, Steve was assigned as a Drill Sergeant at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. From 1979 to 1981, he served a tour in Hanau, Germany, as a Platoon Sergeant with the 23rd Engineer Battalion. He returned to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, as a Senior Drill Sergeant at the reception station. In 1983, while on active duty, he was stationed in Salem, Oregon, and filled the Operations Sergeant position for the 1249th Engineer Battalion of the Oregon Army National Guard. After 11 months, he moved his family to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he was reassigned as a First Sergeant of the 299th Engineer Battalion. In 1987, Steve was deployed to South Korea and served a tour as a First Sergeant with the 2nd Engineer Battalion at Camp Castle, Korea.

In 1988, Steve began his final assignment with the 5th U.S. Army Reserve Component Support Group of the Missouri Army National Guard. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major on February 1, 1989, and continued his service with the 135th Combat Engineer Group until his retirement on February 29, 1992. Some of Sergeant Major Plaster’s highest awards and honors throughout his career were: the Legion of Merit Medal, the Soldier’s Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Air Medal, and the Bronze Star.

In his personal life, Steve enjoyed fishing, hunting, and going to the casino. He also liked old cars and jeeps and enjoyed his Harley Davidson motorcycle. Most of all, his favorite hobby was spending time with his wonderful grandchildren.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Imogene Plaster, his beloved wife, Cynthia Plaster, one nephew, Nathan Ryan Plaster, one brother-in-law, James Stafford, and one nephew-in-law, Robbie Green.

He is survived by his son, Daniel Joseph Plaster and wife, Sarah Irene, of Springfield, Missouri, his daughter, Laura Jean (Plaster) Poe and husband, Mark, of Gainesville, Missouri, three grandchildren, Lucas Nathaniel Plaster, Ashley Mackenzie Poe, and Ryan Gregory Poe, his brother, Retired US Air Force Captain, Donald Gene Plaster and wife, Sheila, of Columbia, Missouri, his sister, Kathryn (Plaster) Stafford of Oakland, Arkansas, his aunt, Glenda Muniz and husband, Richard, of Las Vegas, Nevada, his nephews and nieces, Cody Stafford and wife, Laiken, Amy (Stafford) Green, and Jamie (Stafford) Skiver and husband, Jeremy, and many other extended family and friends who will miss him.

Memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society at the funeral home or by clicking on the link below.