Hundreds mourn passing of Marshall Plummer

More than 1,000 people attended the funeral Tuesday (March 30, 2010) of the late Navajo Nation Vice President Marshall Plummer, who died Friday at the age of 62.

The funeral was held at Rehoboth Christian School, about five miles east of Gallup.

At Plummer's request, he was laid to rest at the Rehoboth Mission Cemetery next to his parents, Ned Sr. and Bekisbah, and his older brother, Abraham.

The funeral service was held in Rehoboth Mission Church and, at the family's request, those outside of the family and dignitaries watched it on video from the nearby school gymnasium.

Rev. Phillip Nez of the Diné New Covenant Church officiated.

Plummer's wife, Paulene, and his three adult children, Nathaniel Shawn Plummer of Mertzon, Texas, Marsha Hagisbah Shorty of Albuquerque, and Aurleta Michelle Jackson of Norman, Okla., were seated in the front pew.

Among the dignitaries were Navajo Nation Vice President Ben Shelly, former Navajo Nation President Peterson Zah, Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan, and New Mexico Indian Affairs Department Director Alvin H. Warren, who represented Gov. Bill Richardson. Clinton Jim, an aide to President Joe Shirley Jr., spoke on his behalf.

Plummer served as Zah's vice president from 1991-95. At the time of his death, he was the human resources director and tribal liaison for the Four Corners Power Plant.

The services began promptly at 10 a.m. and ended about noon.

About 60 motorcycle riders escorted Plummer's body from the Desert View Funeral Home in Shiprock to Rehoboth and then the short distance to the cemetery.

Plummer, who was a Vietnam veteran, was buried with full military honors.

On Monday, more than 300 people attended a memorial service for Plummer at the Farmington Civic Center. Shirley and former Chairman Peter MacDonald Sr. and his wife Wanda were among those in attendance.

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