Rex E. Plank, 76, of Crawfordsville passed away Friday morning at home.

Rex was a member of First Baptist Church.  He loved fishing and playing golf.  At home, he liked to develop a garden with roses and other flowers.  Later, he enjoyed watching the birds.  He started a manager for J. C. Penney, then opened "The Pantry" in the downtown Crawfordsville mini-mart.  He was then a sales rep in the hygiene industry.  He and his wife, Margaret, opened and operated "The Open Book" in Downtown Crawfordsville for several years.  After closing the store, he worked at the Wal-Mart optical lab.

Born Aug. 28, 1944 in Crawfordsville, he was the son of Price Plank and Isabelle L. Smith Plank.  He graduated from Crawfordsville High School and attended IU.  He married Margaret M. Jones on Jan. 29, 1967 in Franklin.  She passed away March 11, 2011.

Surviving family includes: daughter, Amy Bales (Chad) of Crawfordsville; four grandchildren, Levi Dewey, Brianna McCarley, Chase Bales (Faith), Emma Bales; five great-grandchildren, Ayden, Beau, Marley, Brantley, Indiana; brother, Don "Buck" Plank (Lynda); niece, Amanda Plank; aunt, Amy Zachary.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Plank, parents, and a brother, Mark.

A celebration of the life of Rex Plank will be held later this year. Details will be announced as they become available.

Several organizations helped Rex in the last few years and the family asks that in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to either the Sunshine Van, Attn: Kim Clark, 922 E. South Blvd., Crawfordsville, IN 47933 or the transplant unit at University Hospital through the IU Foundation, P.O. Box 7168, Indianapolis, IN 46207.

Online condolences may be made at www.BurkhartFH.com.