Craig "Tony" Anthony Plattner

Tony was born January 14, 1956 in Normal, IL to parents he never knew, but was lovingly adopted by Robert and Clara (Bonomo) Plattner within a day of his birth. He married the love of his life, Barb (Fauser) Plattner at Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria, IL on September 23, 1978. She survives. Tony was a beloved husband to Barb, father to Jared and Blake, and “Opa” to his 8 grandchildren.

Tony grew up in Dunlap, IL on what he called “The Hundred Acre Woods” and graduated from Dunlap High School in 1974. He attended and graduated from Grand Rapids Jr College in 1976 while also working in the Orthotics and Prosthetics Department of Mary Free Bed Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI. In 1977 Tony completed his Certification in Orthotics from Northwestern University Orthotic and Prosthetic Center in Chicago and followed in the footsteps of his father who had started Plattner Orthopedic Company in Peoria, IL in 1946. In 1986 he became President of the company and brought it from the age of making braces with metal and leather to fabricating and molding them out of plastic. In 1996 the Peoria Chamber of Commerce awarded Plattner Orthopedic Company as the best small business. Tony relished taking care of all of his patients and when they tried to call him “Dr. Plattner” he always corrected them and said “I’m just a humble brace maker.” Tony was a Founding member and Treasurer of the Illinois Society of Orthotists and Prosthetists for 25 years. He was a Certified Orthotist Emeritus, certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics. Over the years Tony was an incredible mentor and provided opportunities to those who were in need of a job, teaching them new skills to further their careers.

The company grew to having 22 employees at three locations, Peoria, Bloomington and Peru, IL. In 2011 he sold the company and continued to work as an Orthotist for 5 years until retirement. With his love for cars, he decided to go back to work for an additional 2 ½ years at the Autohaus of Peoria until his official retirement in 2020. He was a John Deere man with the love for mowing at least 10 acres on one of his 4 green tractors, weed whacking and trimming trees around the Plattner Prairie to keep it looking its best.

Tony served on the board at Peoria Christian School for 9 years, and as a Deacon and Greeter at Grace Presbyterian Church. For 14 years Tony volunteered on God’s Rock House, a children’s TV show produced by Grace church. He started out by running the camera until he became “Ranger Roger” the puppet and host of the show. He served on two mission trips, one with his boys to Belize and one to Bangladesh with Mission to the World. Tony and Barb were blessed with an awesome group of friends who lifted each other up in prayer each month. Everyone has been asking “Who is going to grill the Pork chops?”

Tony is survived by his wife of 47 years Barb (Fauser) Plattner, 2 sons, Jared and Amy (Herman) Plattner of Hanna City, IL and Blake and Becca (Reeves) Plattner of Heath,

TX and 8 grandchildren, Ariya, Tess, Kali, Trey, Russ, and Jay Plattner of Hanna City, IL and Lenna and Livie Plattner of Heath, TX, and sister Sue Ellen (Robert) Swanson of Peoria Heights, IL, sister-in-law Sigrid “Sue” (Robert) Newman of Oro Valley, AZ, nieces KC (David Spindler) Swanson of Arlington, VA, Rachel (Marty) Stephens of Flagstaff, AZ, Lisa (Ryan) Cornell of Scottsdale, AZ and nephews Brent Newman of Novi, MI and Erik Swanson of Peoria Heights, IL as well as a host of close lifelong friends and new friends who will miss him terribly.

Preceded in death by his parents Robert and Clara (Bonomo) Plattner, stepmother Martha (Christ) Plattner and in-laws, Fritz and Inge Fauser.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

2 Timothy 4:7

Cremation rites have been accorded. A Memorial Visitation will be at the Davison-Fulton-Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home 2408 W Willow Knolls Dr. Peoria, IL 61614 on Wednesday, May 20th from 4-7 p.m. and the memorial service will be held on May 21st at Grace Presbyterian Church 8607 IL-91 Peoria, IL 61615. Visitation from 10-11 a.m. and service following at 11 a.m.

Memorials may be made to: Grace Presbyterian Church 8607 IL-91 Peoria, IL 61615 or Peoria Christian Middle School 3725 N Monroe Ave. Peoria Heights, IL 61616

Online condolences and memories may be shared through Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home at Woolsey-Wilton.com