TERRE HAUTE, Ind – Legendary Wabash Valley radio news broadcaster Martin Plascak passed away early Saturday morning.
Plascak began his broadcasting career at WBOW AM 1230 in 1950 while a student at Indiana State. After a tour of military duty he returned to become news director at WBOW and then at WTHI AM/FM. He also worked for Network Indiana and did some work for WTHI-TV at the same time.
For over 50 years thousands of Wabash Valley residents woke up to his distinctive voice to learn what was news.
Plascak was a member of the Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame and the Associated Press Hall of Fame.
He retired in 1995.
Over his long career he covered every major story in the Wabash Valley including the fatal Home Packing Co. explosion on January 2, 1963. Seventeen employees were killed and more than 50 were injured.
His family says that he passed away peacefully in his sleep after suffering with dementia. He was 92.
Plascak is survived by his wife Norma, his daughters Patti, Pam and son Marty and their families.
More details are below in the full obituary.
Martin Plascak, Jr.
May 21. 1929 – October 30, 2021
TERRE HAUTE – Martin Plascak, Jr., 92, passed away on Saturday, October 30th, 2021 .He was born on May 21, 1929 in Terre Haute, Indiana to Martin Plascak Sr. and to Paulina (Kanis) Plascak.
Martin married his true love, Norma Green, on May 1, 1960. They had more than 61 years of a beautiful marriage together.
Martin was preceded in death by his father, Martin Plascak Sr.; mother, Paulina (Kanis) Plascak; brother, Nicholas Plascak, brother, James Plascak; sister, Mary Plascak Videl; brother-in-law, Don Vidal, sister-in-law Mary (Hall) Plascak; and nephews, David Plascak, Thomas Plascak and Jeffrey Vidal.
Survivors include his wife Norma (Green) Plascak; son, Marty (Brenda) Plascak; daughers Patti (Richard) Willey and Pam Plascak; brothers-in-law, Donald (Linda) Green and Steve Green; six grandchildren and two step grandchildren; three great grandchildren and seven step great grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends and fur babies.
Martin is a first generation American. His father immigrated from Yugoslavia in 1921. Seven years later his mother and older brother Nicholas joined his father. Upon the death of his mother, five year old Martin along with his brother Jimmy and his sister Mary moved into the Rose Orphans Home in 1934.
Martin graduated from Gerstmeyer Tech in 1947. He then went on to Indiana State Teachers College and graduated with a bachelor’s degree 1951 and a master’s in 1952. After he graduated he served 16 months with the U.S. Army 17th Signal Corps in Germany during the Korean War.
He joined WBOW-AM radio in 1951 and worked there for 25 years. In 1957, Jerome ”Bill” William O’Conner purchased WBOW and wanted to make Martin the “News Voice of the Wabash Valley”. His days of playing records and voicing commercials came to an end and he served as WBOW News Director from 1954-1975. In 1976 Martin became News Director at WTHI Radio AM and FM, anchoring “Morning Drive” for Network Indiana as well as doing some television work like “Face to Face” with the CBS affiliate.
Martin retired in December, 1995. He received the “Sagamores of the Wabash” award from Governor Evan Bayh in 1996. He was inducted into the Associated Press Hall of Fame in 1996 and was honored by an Indiana General Assembly Resolution in 1996 for his many years of service spanning five decades. In 2014 he was inducted into the Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame.
Martin is a former board member of the Wabash Valley Press Club and has taught broadcast journalism at St. Mary of the Woods College in Terre Haute. His community involvement includes serving on the boards of the Community Blood Program, the Salvation Army, the United Way and the Comprehensive Health Planning Council. He was a trustee for the Rose Children’s home and helped create the commemorative plaque located at 70 Rose Avenue near the Rose Post office. After retiring, Martin worked as a promoter for Turner Coaches and recorded several radio commercials.
Martin had one of the largest private collections of World War II related materials, sports audio tapes and VHS tapes in the country. Major news organizations as well as television and film makers often contacted him for their use.
Martin was a huge sports fan, especially Notre Dame football, Chicago Cubs baseball and Big 10 basketball. Martin spent his retirement years enjoying time with his family. After school care for his grandchildren was one of his favorite past times. He was a true mentor to all.
Greiner Funeral home was entrusted with the arrangements. Service will be held on Thursday, November 4th at Central Christian Church located at 4950 Wabash Avenue with the Reverend Rebecca Zelensky officiating. Visitation will be from 12:00-2:00pm with the service following at 2:00pm. Masks are required inside Central Christian Church. Burial to follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Central Christian Church.