Reverend Dr. Martin Meyer Platzer, age 75, of Hartwell, passed away suddenly at his home on Saturday, August 14, 2021. He was born on March 28, 1946, in Highland Park, IL. To the late Hans and Edith (Meyer) Platzer. Marty’s brother, Robert predeceased him. He was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church, Hartwell.
He attended Concordia Prep School and Junior College in Bronxville, NY. He graduated from Concordia Sr. College in Fort Wayne, IN. He completed his Master of Divinity from Emory University and received his doctorate in Pastoral Counseling. Marty was an ordained Lutheran Pastor and served several churches during his lifetime. He worked for over 25 years as a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist at The Link Counseling Center in Sandy Springs, GA.
Marty leaves behind his wife of 36 years, Kay Palacko, and two daughters, Katherine Heyen and her husband, Charles, and Jennifer Schroeder and her husband, David, all in Roswell, GA. Four grandchildren, Guiliana, Charlie and Jacob Heyen and Lily Schroeder, and his devoted dog, Sport. In addition, he leaves behind sisters-in-law, Donna Palacko, Michele Janiak (Jon) and Kari Moncrief (Jeff), along with several cousins, nieces and nephews, and three goddaughters, Alison Janiak, Lia Buzzell, and Anna Buzzell Lewis.
Marty and Kay were devoted to Marriage Enrichment and became active with Better Marriages of Georgia from the beginning of their marriage. They became certified Marriage Enrichment Leaders, believing in the slogan, “To work for better marriages, beginning with our own.”
In his retirement, Marty worked tirelessly as a volunteer with the NE Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) to children placed in foster care. He had a love for music and enjoyed golfing, gardening, and his time on the lake. He ran over 80 road races in his lifetime, many of them with his daughters. His greatest pleasure was spending time with his family.
Marty was a patient and kind man, well known for his sense of humor, practical jokes and playful spirit. He lived his life with faith, grace, love, and gratitude, waking each morning with a grateful heart for God, his life and his family. As a beloved husband, father, grandpa, and friend, he will be remembered by all with much love.
A private Funeral service will be held at Faith Lutheran Church.
You may join the family in remembering Marty with a donation to any of the following organizations that were so important to him:
NE Georgia CASA, 11 North Sage St. Toccoa, GA. 30577
Better Marriages of Georgia, c/o Bob Crutchfield, 5711 Clinchfield Tr. Peachtree Corners, GA. 30092 or
Faith Lutheran Church Youth Program, 691 Benson St. Hartwell, GA. 30643
Coile and Hall Funeral Directors is honored to serve the Platzer family.