Douglas MacArthur “Mac” Plummer, 83, of Galesburg, Illinois, died at 5:55 a.m. Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at OSF St. Mary Medical Center, Galesburg.
Mac was born March 17, 1942, in Biggsville, Illinois, the son of Earl Mote and Martha Helmers (Dunham) Plummer. Mac attended area schools and spent his summers with family in Jamesport, Missouri helping farm. Prior to his junior year in high school, Mac moved to Jamesport to continue his schooling and work on the farm, eventually graduating from Tri-County High School. Returning to Illinois, Mac graduated from Lincoln Barber College in East Moline, Illinois and went on to own and operate Mac’s Barber Shop in Macomb, Illinois. Mac married Annella M. Hagan on July 15, 1961 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Galesburg. While working as a barber, Mac began working for Burlington Northern Railroad. Mac eventually closed the barber shop and moved to Galesburg in 1974 to work full time for Burlington Northern Railroad. Mac eventually retired in 1997.
Mac is survived by his wife of 64 years, Annella; two sons, Mark Plummer of Homewood, Illinois and Doug (Stacy) Plummer of Adair, Illinois; two daughters, Debbie (David) Clague of Galesburg and Denise (Eric) Anderson of Goodyear, Arizona; and two sisters, Dorothy (Ray) Pickrel and Susan Perschnick both of Galesburg. Mac is also survived by his seven grandchildren, Cody (Danielle) Basham, Justin (Stacy Rinehart) Basham, Bryan (Tyler Jorgenson) Plummer, Alyssa Plummer, Hannah (Bryan) Bessler, Sam Anderson, and Amanda Anderson; and six great grandchildren, Owen and Annie Basham, Harper Anderson, and Hunter, Brock, and Dylan Rinehart. Along with his parents, Mac was preceded in death by three sisters, Earleen Farrell, Carabeth Benson, and Nancy Craig.
Mac and his family were long time members of the Sportsman’s Club where he served many years as president. He was a longtime devoted member of St. Patrick Catholic Church. An avid sports fan, he played numerous sports in his younger years, and followed NASCAR and the St. Louis Cardinals closely. He loved being outdoors camping, fishing, hunting, and always had a large garden in his yard. Mac was known as the neighborhood caretaker and was always willing to help anyone in need. He liked to care for the wild critters in his yard.
Visitation will be 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, February 15, 2026, at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. The rosary will be prayed at 4 p.m. Funeral Mass for Mac will be 10 a.m. Monday, February 16, 2026, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Galesburg. Father Jeffrey Stirniman will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Augustine Cemetery, St. Augustine, Illinois. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters or St. Patrick Catholic Church. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
