Edward E. Palmer

Edward E. Palmer

Edward E. Palmer, 79, of Mechanicsburg, passed away Friday, May 16, 2008 at the Hospice Residence of Lancaster County.
Born April 19, 1929 in Athens, PA, he was the son of the late Kenneth and Myrtle (Webster) Palmer. Ed was an outstanding high school athlete lettering in football, basketball and baseball at Athens, PA High School during 1944-1947. He was inducted into Athens High School Sports Hall of Fame in recognition of an outstanding contribution to Athens's High School sports. He served in the U.S. Army and graduated from East Stroudsburg State Teachers College in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. For the next 10 years, Ed became a teacher and outstanding basketball coach at Pen-Argyl High School, Shippensburg High School and William Penn High School, Harrisburg, PA. His teams at both Shippensburg and William Penn won league championships. Ed was named Coach of the Year by the Old Timer's Association for his leadership in 1963. The next 23 years (1964-1987) were served in public education administration from Assistant Principal and Director of Secondary Education at Cumberland Valley High School to Principal at both William Penn and Lebanon High Schools. During his time in high school administration, Ed served as a member of the P.I.A.A. District 3 committee and served as Chairman (1982-1983) for Alignment and Development of the Mid-Penn Athletic Conference. From 1978 until his retirement from public education in 1987, Ed was Superintendent of South Middleton School District in Boiling Springs. Edward was a member of First United Methodist Church, Mechanicsburg where he served as Chairman of the Church Building Committee and was a Sunday school teacher. He was an Elder of Silver Spring Presbyterian Church and served on its pastoral committee. He also served on the Board of the Capital Area Intermediate Unit. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren compete in sports and spending time with his Shih-tzu Casey and was a huge Yankees fan.
Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Arlene M. (Dunbar) Palmer, 4 daughters, Kathy and husband the late Vern Brechbiel, Camp Hill, Becky and husband, Larry Rees, Dillsburg, Julie and husband, John Butler, Mechanicsburg and Jody Miller, Middletown; a brother, Richard Palmer of Mansfield, PA and a sister, Joan Smith of Sayre, PA; 11 grandchildren, Kirk (Renee) Brechbiel, Scott (Jillian) Brechbiel, Adam, Kelli, Tyler and Lindsay Rees, Kristen Butler and husband Brandon Shaver, John and Meghan Butler, Greg (LeeAnn) Miller, Jennifer Miller; great-grandchildren, Chase and Ella Brechbiel and Delaney Miller. Edward was preceded in death by his grandson, Erich Brechbiel and by two nephews, David Smith and Mark Palmer.
Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday at the First United Methodist Church, Mechanicsburg. Interment will be held at the convenience of the family. Visitation from 6-8 p.m., Monday at Malpezzi Funeral Home, Mechanicsburg.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Lancaster County, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604 or Penn State Hershey Diabetes Center, Office of University Development, P.O. Box 852, Hershey, PA 17033. To sign the online guest book visit www. malpezzifuneralhome.com