Finding a specific tribute in a town like Plain City can feel like a scavenger hunt you didn’t ask for. It’s one of those unique spots that straddles the line between Madison County and Union County, which honestly makes the paperwork a bit of a headache if you don't know where to look. When someone passes away here, the records don't just land in one big bucket. They’re scattered across two counties, a couple of legacy funeral homes, and small-town archives that still value a physical card catalog over a digital database.
If you’re looking for plain city ohio obituaries, you've likely realized that a quick Google search sometimes fails to catch the most recent notices. Small-town news moves differently.
Where the Records Actually Live
The first thing you have to understand is the "Ferguson factor." For generations, the Ferguson Funeral Home on East Main Street has been the primary keeper of these stories. If you’re looking for someone who lived in the village, the Ferguson website is usually the first stop. They maintain a digital archive that goes back a few years, but for older records, it’s not always so simple.
Then there is the Ingram Funeral Home. While they are technically based in Marysville, they handle a massive amount of the services for families in the north end of Plain City and the surrounding Jerome Township. If you can't find a name on the Ferguson site, check Ingram. It’s a common mix-up.
The Two-County Trap
Plain City is split. Most people forget that. Depending on which side of the line the person lived, their official death certificate and the legal notice might be filed in different places:
- Union County: If they lived on the north side, you’ll want to check with the Union County Health Department or the Marysville Public Library.
- Madison County: If they were on the south side, the Madison County Genealogical Society in London, Ohio, is your best bet.
Honestly, the Plain City Historical Society is a gold mine that people overlook. They are located right on West Main Street. They have a physical obituary database that is organized alphabetically by last name. They even have PDFs of the old Plain City Advocate and the Madison Messenger. You can’t always find these online because they haven't all been indexed by the big genealogy sites yet.
Why Some Obituaries Go "Missing"
It’s frustrating when you know someone passed, but the search bar comes up empty. Usually, this happens because of how families choose to publish. In the 2020s, the cost of a printed obituary in the Columbus Dispatch or even the Marysville Journal Tribune has skyrocketed. Many families are opting for "digital-only" tributes on funeral home sites or even just Facebook.
If you are doing genealogy research, keep in mind that the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center maintains a massive Ohio Obituary Index. It includes thousands of entries from Marysville and Plain City papers that date back to the 1800s. It’s a bit of a "pro-tip" for researchers because it links to the specific microfilm reel you’d need at the library.
Digital Archives vs. Physical Truth
You’ve probably seen sites like Legacy.com or Ancestry. These are great, but they are often incomplete for rural Ohio. For example, a local resident like Betty B. Ferguson, a longtime funeral director and teacher who passed in 2025, had her life story meticulously documented in local church bulletins and historical society records before it ever hit a national site.
Sometimes, the most accurate "obituary" isn't a paid ad. It’s the community post in a local group or the "In Memoriam" section of a church newsletter like the one at Plain City Presbyterian.
How to Get What You Need
If you need a physical copy of a death record or a full obituary for legal or heritage reasons, here is the most efficient way to get it:
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- For recent deaths (last 5 years): Go straight to the funeral home website. Ferguson and Ingram are the big two.
- For records from 1900–1970: Contact the Plain City Public Library. They have the local newspapers on microfilm.
- For official certificates: Visit the Union County Health Department (London Avenue in Marysville) or the Madison County Courthouse in London. Be prepared to pay about $25 for a certified copy.
Don't rely solely on the "big" search engines. They miss the nuances of the village. The local historical society is run by volunteers who actually know the family trees of the Darby Plains. If you're stuck, send them an email or stop by during their limited Saturday hours.
Actionable Steps for Your Search
Start by confirming which county the person resided in, as this dictates where the official record is filed. Check the Ferguson Funeral Home website first, as they handle the majority of local services. If that fails, the Plain City Historical Society website has an "Obituary Database" link that lists PDF files of archived notices. For those conducting deep genealogy, the Marysville Public Library's digital collection offers the best access to the Journal Tribune archives, which frequently covers Plain City news and deaths.