Joel "Jody" F Platzer

Joel F. “Jody” Platzer, 79, of Lakeport, Michigan, passed away on Monday, February 16, 2026, at Lakeland Regional Hospital in Lakeland, Florida.

Jody was born September 12, 1946, in Port Huron, Michigan, the youngest of three boys born to the late Joseph L. and Mary Vargo Platzer.

Blessed with outstanding, natural athletic talents, Jody excelled in basketball, baseball, softball, football, hockey, and golf. He was inducted into the Port Huron Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the 1964 St. Stephen basketball team; inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the 1974 Zebra Bar fast pitch softball team; named all – conference, and all – state basketball player in his senior year at St. Stephen High School, 1963–64.

Jody was an unusually quiet man, that is until the topic of conversation was sports related. He would become quite animated, bordering on verbose, with his recollection of sports facts, figures and opinions. He and his fellow 1964 St. Stephen High School basketball team members, Bob Abdoo, Dennis Kinch, Mike Fruge, George Stebbings, Greg Duva and Chuck Cowley, recounted their championship game on-court heroics, year after year, and steeped with more and more embellishments each year; one listening to these amazing feats would have to believe this 1964 Team could actually rival the likes of the first place Eastern Conference Detroit Pistons!

Following his graduation from St. Stephen High School in 1964, Jody earned his associates degree at St. Clair County Community College and continued his education at Central Michigan University until drafted into the United States Army.

Jody served U.S. Army Infantry from 1968 to 1970. He was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in ground operations in Vietnam. He was deemed Expert Marksman on three weapons: M-14, 90mm, and 106 mm. Jody was also awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Foreign Service Medal, and Combat Infantryman Badge. He attained the rank of Specialist 4th Class - the highest ranking junior enlisted soldier. In that capacity, he served as a technical specialist (Expert Marksman), responsible for guiding lower ranking soldiers. While he was serving his Country, he also served his fellow soldiers.

Unfortunately, while serving in Vietnam, Jody was one of many exposed to agent orange, which ultimately factored in his passing.

Influenced by one of his closest friends, Bob Abdoo, Jody worked for nearly 30 years in the banking industry following his return from military service. Throughout his professional career, he diligently served his community: Board Member and Board Chair, American Red Cross; Board Member and Board Chair, Blue Water Chamber of Commerce; Port Huron Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors; American Legion Post 8 Member; Bob Abdoo Memorial Fund; Mercy Hospital Foundation; Blue Water Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors; Visiting Nurses Association Board of Directors, and member Fort Gratiot Rotary and Port Huron Rotary. Following his retirement, Jody continued to serve his community when he ran for and was elected to the office of treasurer for Burtchville, a position he held for several years.

Jody was particularly grateful and felt truly blessed for the genuine friendships of his golf buddies: Lou Petho, Rich Engel and Gary Fletcher, and occasionally Cliff Erickson. When Jody was no longer able to place his golf tee in the ground, Gary or Cliff took over the task and did it for him every hole, every round. Lou and Rich were often on the losing side of the bets and presses; they donated regularly to the Platzers’ dining outings. What awesome friends!

Jody is survived by his wife of 46 years, Cynthia Siemen Platzer; nephew, Ron Platzer; and in-laws: Sue Platzer, John and Dennise Barton, Brian and Jodie Siemen, and Brad and Deirdre Siemen, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Mary, his older brothers, Ronald, L Platzer and Michael C. (Mickey) Platzer, and his nephew, Joel M. Platzer.

Per Jody‘s request, his remains have been cremated.