Joseph Edward Palmer

Retired local educator, Joseph Palmer, age 93, of Moline, IL, passed away Monday, October 24, 2011, at Genesis Medical Center - Illini Campus in Silvis, IL. Visitation will be on Wednesday, October 26th, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., at Wendt Funeral Home in Moline, with Masonic Rites open to all at 7:00 p.m., conducted by Moline Lodge #1014 AF&AM. Services will be held Thursday, October 27th, at 11:00 a.m., at Trinity Anglican Church, 1818 - 6th Avenue, Rock Island, IL. Per his wishes, the body will then be cremated, and inurnment will take place on Wednesday, November 2nd, in National Cemetery on Arsenal Island, Rock Island. Memorials may be made to Trinity Anglican Church in Rock Island, or to Riverside United Methodist Church in Moline. Joseph Edward Palmer was born in St. Louis, MO., on April 14, 1918, the oldest son of Joseph A. and Hannah M. Palmer. He was educated in the Rantoul Public Schools, and graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Botany. He also completed graduate courses at St. Ambrose University, Western Illinois University, and Northern Illinois University. A veteran of World War II, he served as Lieutenant of an anti-aircraft battalion. After the war, he was News Director of the CBS Radio Station WDWS in Champagne, IL. He then entered the field of education, serving as Principal of schools in the Illinois towns of Flatville, Lerna, Melvin, and Hillsdale. More recently, he taught at Audubon School in Rock Island, and his final seventeen years of teaching were, at Ridgewood School and Hoffman School, in East Moline, IL. Joseph was a member of Trinity Anglican Church in Rock Island. He was a past President of the Moline Lions Club, a member of Moline Lodge #1014 AF&AM, and Rantoul Lodge #470 AF&AM, and was past Executive Secretary of the Moline Scottish Rite. Along with life memberships in the Theta Chi Fraternity and the University of Illinois Alumni Association, he held memberships in the Illinois Retired Teachers Association, the Rantoul Historical Society, the Moline American Legion Post #246, the Moline High Twelve Club, and the Milan Rifle Club. He was amateur radio operator AA9GQ, holding an Amateur Extra Class license. Joseph's favorite hobbies were photography, target shooting, ham radio, and golf. He especially enjoyed following the lives and activities of his former students. Joseph is survived by: a brother, Dr David (Jo) Palmer of Danville, VA; two nieces, Dr Carol DeVoler of Orion, IL, and Kathleen Jackson of Dayton, OH; and two nephews, Daniel Palmer of Moline, and the Rev David Palmer of the state of Virginia. He was preceded by his parents, and a brother, George Palmer.

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