Palmer Sr., Richard E.

MARION - Richard E. Palmer Sr., 73, of Marion, has gone home to be with his Lord and Savior, Friday, Oct. 22, 2010, at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids. Services: 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 25, at Squaw Creek Baptist Church, Marion, by the Rev. Michael Kleeberger. The family will greet friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion. Burial: Oak Shade Cemetery, Marion.

Survivors include his children, Richard E. (Julie) Palmer II of Davenport, Jennifer Lynn (Greg) Ciha of Mount Vernon, Douglas Allen (Kathy) Palmer of Sebastopol, Calif., Rebekah Diane (Neil) Chaffee of Fairmont, Minn., and Mary Elizabeth Palmer of Mount Vernon; 11 grandchildren, Alec Palmer, Ashley Palmer, Chelsea Ciha, Nikki Ciha, Hunter Ciha, Jessica Oechsle, Shelby Oechsle, Bailey Chaffee, Riley Chaffee, Marcus Palmer and Rosemarie Palmer; two great-grandchildren, Raelynn Ciha and Elijah Dowd; four siblings, Thomas (Joan) Palmer Jr., Ruth Palmer, Karen Goodlander (Dwight Rivard) and Paula (John) Estminger; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Vera; and a brother, Harry Palmer.

Richard was born Feb. 2, 1937, the son of Thomas and Mary (Townsley) Palmer, in Washington, Iowa. He married Vera Leach on March 22, 1959. She died June 27, 1987. Richard worked at Wilson's Food for 27 years. He was a business owner for over 25 years. He later worked for Issac Newton Christian Academy and McDonalds.

Richard was a volunteer firefighter and volunteered for St. Luke's Hospice. He enjoyed fishing, and camping. Richard loved the Lord, his family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Luke's Hospice, 290 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 or Squaw Creek Baptist Church, 1410 44th St., Marion, IA 52302, in Richard's memory.

Please sign the online guest book for Richard at  under obituaries.