Elder C. Elwyn Platner

C. Elwyn Platner passed to his rest on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, in Walla Walla, WA. Survivors include his wife Patsy Jean (Gerhardt) Platner, son, Christopher Wayne Platner, living near Gillette, WY; daughter, Maria Suzanne Platner of Walla Walla, WA, sister, Nadine (Platner) Dower, of College Place, WA and four grandchildren: Rebekah, Jonathan, Andrew and Abigail Born in Spokane, WA, on June 24, 1934, Elwyn was the second son of Dr. Wayne and Adele Platner, who had moved to Spokane so Wayne could intern at the Deaconess Hospital. With older brother, Wallace, Elwyn was a student at Spokane Junior Academy, a Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) 10-grade church school. He then attended the SDA boarding high school, Upper Columbia Academy in Spangle WA, where he graduated in 1952. Elwyn went to Walla Walla College (now Walla Walla University), where he worked on the student newspaper The Collegian. He graduated in 1957 with a degree in English. After marrying Patsy Gerhardt on June 11, 1957, they moved by train to Oshawa Missionary College (now Kingsway College) near Ontario, Canada, where he taught English. That year was enough to convince him that he didn’t want to teach English all his life. So they moved back to Spokane to continue his job search. Someone at General Conference gave him the advice to get some newspaper experience. He followed that advice, first by working for the Spokesman Review in Spokane for a few months as an “inquiring photographer” doing “man on the street” question of the day with photos, then as a reporter for the Blackfoot Daily News in Idaho, where he was eventually promoted to managing editor. In 1960, the Georgia-Cumberland Conference called him to be their first full-time public relations director—quite possibly a first for a local SDA church conference in the denomination. Other public relations positions followed at Hinsdale Hospital (’64 –’65), near Chicago, where son Chris joined the family, and the Southeastern California Conference (’65-’71), in Riverside, CA, where daughter Maria joined the family. While not at work, Elwyn completed a number of outdoor projects around their La Sierra home, including a patio and a pergola. In 1971, the family moved to Tujunga, CA, where Elwyn took a position at the the Voice of Prophecy, (’71-‘74). Then he returned to Walla Walla College in 1974, this time to edit their alumni journal, Westwind, and teach journalism, photojournalism and professional public relations. From Walla Walla College, Elwyn was called to direct the public relations department for the Oregon Conference in Portland, OR. His creative skills flourished as he began doing multi-image shows. Elwyn was called to the Pacific Union Conference in 1985, and agreed to come on condition that he could change the format of the Recorder from a black and white tabloid to a semi-color magazine format. He served as Recorder editor for nearly 18 years. During his time at the Pacific Union Conference, he and Patsy lived in Simi Valley, CA, where he worked outdoors when he wasn’t in the office. He grew lemons and oranges, and got his tomato plants to produce year-round. In “retirement” he has worked as a volunteer, photographing evangelistic series outside of the U.S. and other “assignments” such as photographing at the international Pathfinder Camporees. Maranatha building projects also kept him busy. The couple sold their home in Simi Valley and moved to a home they purchased in College Place to be nearer their children and grandchildren in 2017. In declining health, they moved in to Wheatland Village, an assisted-living facility in Walla Walla, with the help of their family in 2021. At the age of 88, Elwyn Platner passed away with Patsy at his side. In lieu of flowers, friends may send a memorial gift to the radio/television ministry of your choice, i.e. Adventist World Radio, Voice of Prophecy, Faith for Today, It Is Written, etc.

Elder C. Elwyn Platner

June 24, 1934 - December 20, 2022

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Elder C. Elwyn Platner

June 24, 1934 - December 20, 2022

COVID-19

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Grief & Healing

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About Us

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