Dates

• Existence: 1921 - 2008

Biographical History

Wilma Marie Plunkett (1921-2008) was an archivist in Utah.

Wilma Marie Plunkett was born on January 14, 1921 in Otsego, Michigan to Cecil Harriston Plunkett and Ruby Hostetter. She grew up in Otsego, and attended Michigan State University. With the approach of World War II she became engaged, but he died during the war. She then worked in Detroit, and signed up for Woman's Army Air Corp (WAC's) when they were established. She served in Michigan and Washington, D.C.. Then in the 1950s she moved to Phoenix, Arizona and then to California. There she befriended Gladys and August Barstow, who introduced her to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During her time in California she worked for Lear Siegler Corporation. She also served as Secretary of the California Wing of the State Air Force Association for two years, and later as the State Historian for the Association.

In the 1970s Plunkett decided to serve a mission for the Church, and was called to the Boston, Massachusetts Mission. After completing her missionary service she moved to Provo, Utah to attend Brigham Young University. While there she earned her bachelor's degree in Humanities, and a master's degree in American Studies. She also worked in the photo archives of the Harold B. Lee Library, where she remained until her retirement in the mid-1990s.

On June 25, 1992 she married August "Bart" Barstow in the Provo Temple (he died in 1999). Plunkett died on December 18, 2008 in Provo, Utah.

Citation:

Plunkett, Wilma Marie. Wilma Marie Plunkett papers, approximately 1989 (Wilma Marie Plunkett; b. January 14, 1921 in Otsego, Michigan; d. December 18, 2008 in Provo, Utah)

UPB files, Dec. 16, 2014 (Billy Plunkett; Photo Archivist at Brigham Young University; retired in mid-1990s; 1983, BA Humanities; 1989, MA American Studies)

Daily herald, Dec. 22, 2008 (Billy Plunkett Barstow; parents: Cecil Harriston Plunkett and Ruby Hostetter; b. Jan. 14, 1921 in Otsego, Mich.; grew up in Otsego, attended school; attended Michigan State University; engaged during World War II, fiance died in war; worked in Detroit; signed up for Woman's Army Air Corp (WAC's) when formed; served in Michigan and Washington, D.C.; in 1950's moved to Phoenix and then to Calif.; befriended by Gladys and August Barstow, they introduced her to LDS Church; worked for Lear Siegler Corporation; Secretary of the California Wing of the State Air Force Association for two years and later the State Historian for the Association; moved to Provo in the 1970's and attended Brigham Young University, graduated with bachelor's and master's degrees; worked in the photo archives of BYU until retired; in 1970's served a mission in Boston, Massachusetts Mission; 2004 m. June 25, 1992 in Provo Temple to August "Bart" Barstow (d. 1999), after death of his wife, Gladys; d. Dec. 18, 2008 in Provo, Utah)

Ancestry.com, via WWW, Dec. 16, 2014 (Wilma M. Plunkett; Wilma Barstow; Wilma Marie Barstow; Wilma M. Barstow; Wilma Barstow)

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records: