Obituary of John E. Palmer

John Edward Palmer, 86 years old and a long time resident of Masonville, ended his battle with Alzheimer’s Disease on Wednesday evening, November 5, 2014. John, known to family and friends as Jack, was born February 27, 1928 in Oneonta, New York. He was the third child of Clarence and Agnes [Eckert] Palmer of Franklin, New York. Jack graduated from Franklin High School (then known as the Delaware Literary Institute) in 1946. In his class of twelve students, Jack was active in several sports including baseball, football and basketball, and also in the school drama team. In 1952 he was drafted into the Army during the Korean Conflict and served two years as an equipment operator and Signalman with the U.S. Army Signal Corps in Germany and England. In 1954 he returned to his home in New York where he met and married Miriam Hellerud. Jack and Miriam have four children: Peter Palmer and Sarah, of Scottsdale, Arizona; Barbara [Palmer] and Richard Grady of Arlington, Virginia; Jean Palmer of Glen Burnie, Maryland; and Robert Palmer of Baldwinsville, New York. They also have two grandsons, Mitchell Palmer of Baldwinsville, New York, and Cole Palmer of Endicott, New York, both sons of Robert. Jack retired in 1989 after working 40 years for Amphenol (also known as Scintilla and Bendix.) His title was Experimental Model Maker, and he was fond of telling people that a specialized part he designed and manufactured is on the Lunar Space Module that remains on the moon to this day. The Palmers lived in Masonville for 58 years prior to moving to Alexandria, Virginia in 2012 to live closer to their daughters. Jack and Miriam celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on October 1, 2014, only a month before his death. Jack is pre-deceased by his parents, his sister, Barbara, and both brothers, Clarence and Donald. He will be buried in the Masonville Cemetery. The family will plan a service for him at an as yet undetermined date in the future.