Donald Palmer

Donald Palmer
May 20, 1947 - September 2, 2017

Donald Melvin Palmer, 70, of Oelwein passed away on Saturday September 2, 2017 at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo. Visitation will be from 3:30-7:00 PM on Wednesday September 6, 2017 at the Geilenfeld Funeral Home in Oelwein. Funeral services will begin at 10:00 AM on Thursday September 7, 2017 at the Geilenfeld Funeral Home with Rev. Josh Schunk officiating. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery at Oelwein with Military Honors by the American Legion Ross Reid Post #9 of Oelwein. A memorial fund has been established.

Donald was born on May 20, 1947 in Independence to parents Melvin and Edna (Voelschow) Palmer. He graduated from the Independence High School with the class of 1966. He served his country honorably from 1966-1968 in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. On May 19, 1973 he was united in marriage with Jane Lee Adams at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence. Donald was a Machinist with Geater Machining & Manufacturing Co. in Independence.

Donald enjoyed fishing trips, woodworking to make things for his family, gambling trips with his wife and shooting his firearms with grandsons. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his grandkids and at their sporting events.

Left to celebrate Donald’s life are his children: Tammy (Ed) Richards of Fayette, Tim (Sheena) Palmer of Oelwein and Nick (Nycole) Palmer of Oelwein; his grandchildren: Dustin, Denver and Devin Richards, Mackenzie, Addyson and Lila Palmer, Cole, Camren, Caden and Corbyn Palmer; his brother Myron (Linda) Palmer of New Hampton; many nieces and nephews; his sister-in-law Sue Palmer; his brothers-in-law: George (Judy) Adams of Clinton and Jim (Margie) Adams of Clinton. He was preceded in death by his wife Jane; his parents; his brothers: Arnold Palmer and Russell Palmer; his nephew Tod Palmer and his niece Kristen Palmer.

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Sharon Rubino on September 8, 2017 at 10:47 AM said:

I am so sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers to all of Don's family! Don was such a nice man, he taught me how to drillpress at Geater's. I always enjoyed talking to him and he always greeted me with a smile! He is one of the people I think of when I think of my days at Geater's!

Dena Palmer on September 6, 2017 at 5:30 PM said:

Tammy, Tim, Nick and families,
My heart hurts for you all. Knowing they are together again and free of pain helps. Just know that I am only a phone call away- Day or night. I love you all!
Dena and Zac

Bylinda Allwood on September 6, 2017 at 1:25 PM said:

Watching your dad with your mom always gave me chills because I could feel the love they had for each other!! My heart just broke when I found out about his passing...being so close to losing tour beautiful mother. But one of my first thoughts was how he has now been reunited with his one true love!! Though you're all grieving in ways I couldn't even imagine I know that your family is as close as one could be so you'll help each other through this! God bless and be with you all!! Stay strong my dear friends!!

-Bylinda

CONNIE METZGAR on September 6, 2017 at 11:30 AM said:

I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW SORRY I AM FOR YOUR LOSS. DON WAS A GREAT HUSBAND, FATHER AND GRANDPA. HE WAS SO PROUD OF HIS KIDS AND GRANDKIDS. ALL HE EVER TALKED ABOUT WAS YOU KIDS, YOU WERE AND ALWAYS WILL BE THE CENTER OF DON AND JANE'S WORLD. YOU ARE SUCH A CLOSE FAMILY AND HAVE SO MANY OF YOUR PARENTS GREAT QUALITIES, I KNOW YOU WILL BE FINE. WE WANTED TO HAVE DON DOWN TO THE LAKE AND GO FISHING AND HAD JUST TALKED ABOUT IT, WHEN WE FOUND OUT HE WASN'T WELL. HE LOOKED SO GOOD AT GRADUATION, AND SEEMED TO BE DEALING WITH THE LOSS OF JANE. WE LOVE YOU GUYS, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE LIKE PART OF OUR FAMILY. WE WILL NEVER FORGET THE GOOD TIMES WE HAD IN ELDORA. DON AND JANE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED, BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN.

YOUR FREINDS TOM AND CONNIE

Duane Morris on September 6, 2017 at 9:00 AM said:

I haven't seen Don since high school. He was a great guy and a good friend. Wished I could make his services but am in Indianapolis.My condolences and best wishes

Alison Michels on September 6, 2017 at 8:29 AM said:

My condolences to all of you. I worked right beside your dad for 16 years. He was so proud of each and every one of you.
There are not enough hours in the day or all the words to say of all the stories he told me about all of you. I truly can't believe he is gone, I will miss him so much. May he rest in peace.

Dean Petroff on September 6, 2017 at 6:21 AM said:

Our Thoughts and prayers are with you all.

From the crew at ADM Rail Car Repair

Lye & Nancy Miller on September 6, 2017 at 5:31 AM said:

Our condolences to the family. I only knew Don thru Nic & little league days-but always seemed like extremely nice, sincere quite person. May he rest in peace

Yout One and Only Daughter Tam on September 5, 2017 at 9:11 PM said:

Dad I don't know what to say. I am so glad I get to spend a lot of time with u this last month and half. We had lots of laughs, lots of road trips. I love u so much. I know u fought so hard. I know u we're doing what u did to try and stay here as long as u could. I miss u so much. I am just completely broken. My heart hurts so much. U we're always thee for me and my family, always there to make the kids stuff or for me to call at night to come get a mouse that the cats killed. I love u so much, I am glad u r with the love of your life mom. I know she was waiting for u. I hope u two r have the time of your life. Love u for ever and always. Sis

Your Son Tim on September 5, 2017 at 7:41 PM said:

This day has come way to soon, but as you know we are strong and close family. I just want you to know you are the strongest, bravest, hardest working man I know. I am so proud to be your son and that I call you Dad. I will always remember all the things you have done for me and our family. You have sacrificed so much your whole life to make us all happy. You took such good care of Mom and always made sure we were all ok. When God made the mold of what a Great Husband, Father, Grandpa, and Friend should be God made you. I know you lived for us as long as you could even though it doesn't seem long enough, you are with mom now in that big Casino in the sky, you will be missed so much but never forgotten. Hope the fish are biting good. I can't wait to hear all the stories, until we meet again. Love you Dad

Your Son Tim on September 5, 2017 at 7:39 PM said:

This day has come way to soon, but as you know we are strong and close family. I just want you to know you are the strongest, bravest, hardest working man I know. I am so proud to be your son and that I call you Dad. I will always remember all the things you have done for me and our family. You have sacrificed so much your whole to make us all happy. You took such good care of Mom and always made sure we were all ok. When God made the mold of what a Great Husband, Father, Grandpa, and Friend should be God made you. I know you lived for us as long as you could even though it doesn't seem long enough, you are with mom now in that big Casino in the sky, you will be missed so much but never forgotten. Hope the fish are biting good. I can't wait to hear all the stories, until we meet again. Love you Dad

Your youngest son on September 5, 2017 at 6:57 PM said:

Dad I can't believe your really gone you were my hero the one I looked up to the one I went to when I needed help on fixing anything you new the easiest way to do it you taught me so many things in the short 30 years you taught me to be a man a great husband and most of all one hell of a dad because that's what you were you taught me every thing about fishing and how to do the simple things of life and you were a awesome grandpa to our girls they loved you so much and will never forget you I love you dad my hero tell we meet again tell mom hi I'm glad your with the love of your life see you guys later love you mom & dad

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Geilenfeld-Buehner Funeral Home

309 1st Avenue NE | Oelwein, IA 50662 | Phone: 319.283.4653

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