Bernard L. Palmer, 82, of Gratiot, Ohio died Friday afternoon, April 15, 2016 at Genesis Morrison House in Zanesville, Ohio. His loving wife and daughters were at his side.
Born November 19, 1933 in Zanesville he was a son of the late Donald F. and M. Gladys (Carolus) Palmer and was a 1952 graduate of Hopewell High School. Bernard retired in 1985 from Kaiser Aluminum Corporation of Heath, Ohio with 30 years of service, where he was a foreman in the re-melt department. After his retirement he began working at Vensil & Orr/Vensil & Chute Funeral Homes where he had over 20 years of service. Bernard also loved to farm and for many years operated a farm near Gratiot raising crops, hogs, cattle and chickens.
Bernard was very active in the community and was a member of the Gratiot United Methodist Church and the Men's Fellowship group of the church, Jackson Lodge #85, F. & A. M., Eastern Star Chapter #486; Brownsville Senior Citizens and Kaiser Aluminum Retirees Club. He was very active in 4-H and was an advisor for Flint Ridge Eagles 4-H Club for over 50 years. In 2001 he received the John and Dorothy Montgomery Leadership Development Award for his commitment to 4-H in Muskingum County.
Above all, Bernard loved his family. Barely, if ever, did a family event occur that Bernard and Betty were not there. Holidays, birthdays, graduations, weddings, whatever the occasion, Bernard and Betty, with food in hand, were the first to arrive.
Surviving is his loving wife of over 63 years, Betty M. (Heimberger) Palmer whom he married November 2, 1952; three daughters, Debra Spring of Roseville, Carolyn Vensil and her husband, Carl of Nashport and Lois Orr and her husband, Ray of Newark; twelve grandchildren, Stacy (Matthew) Brandt, Amy (Mike) Knowlton, Melissa (Ryan) Leas, Christopher (Stacy) Orr, Jason (Jami) Spring, Carrie (Terry) Swartz, Julie (Joe) Bice, Jeffrey (Sarah) Orr, Katie Vensil, Jonathan Spring, Seth (Leah) Vensil and Darrin (Lauren) Vensil; nineteen great grandchildren; five step great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. Also surviving are three sisters, Doris Groves and Helen Bennett, both of Cheboygan, Michigan and Mary (Stanley) King of Littleton, North Carolina; a brother, Robert (Betty) Palmer of Zanesville and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Marjorie Hawkenberry and two brothers, Franklin Palmer and Harry Palmer.
Calling hours are 2 to 4pm and 6 to 8pm Monday, April 18, 2016 at the Frazeysburg Chapel of Vensil & Chute Funeral Home, 110 West Third Street. Calling hours will also be for one hour prior to the funeral services.
The funeral services will be 11:00am Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at the Gratiot United Methodist Church, 345 South Street, Gratiot, with Pastor Matthew Blau and Mr. Jeff Iden officiating. Burial will be Poplar Fork Cemetery in Gratiot.
Memorial contributions may be made to Genesis Hospice, 713 Forest Avenue, Zanesville, Ohio 43701 or to Gratiot United Methodist Church, Post Office Box 138, Gratiot, Ohio 43740.