George Palmer

GEORGE A. PALMER, 90 ROCKTON - George A. Palmer, 90, passed away Thursday, June 11, 2009, at home, after a long illness. Born March 31, 1919, in Seward, Neb., he moved to the Roscoe area at age six with his farming parents, Arthur J. and Wilhelmina (Dombrow) Palmer. He attended the one-room Nichols School and graduated from Hononegah High School in 1936. He majored in agriculture education at Illinois State and gave on-the-job training to World War II veterans. Married Helen Ruth Kelsey on Sept. 21, 1940. They farmed in Roscoe Township for 29 years. Served as an active member of the Winnebago Holstein Association, Winnebago Soil Conservation Service, and Farm Bureau. Served on the school board during the time of consolidation of Prairie Hill School. Elected and served as Roscoe Township supervisor for 16 years and served 14 years on the Winnebago County Board of Supervisors and as its chairman for two years. He began a 16-year career in real estate, forming Palmer Realtors in Rockton and later a partnership in Century 21 Bonnie and Palmer. Served as Rockton Chamber of Commerce president, active member for 40 years of the Roscoe Lions Club, 25-year term on the board of directors of the Goldie Floberg Center. Enjoyed swimming at the Beloit YMCA, singing, writing humorous poems, playing cards and golfing. Survived by devoted wife, Helen; sons Arthur Lee of Richmond, Calif.; George L. (Jean) of Alexandria, Va.; daughter, Bonnie L. (Jim) Moore of Roscoe; grandchildren, Brett (Magali) Olson of Chicago, Brian (Leslie) Olson of Geneva, Stephanie (Ben) Taxy of Santa Fe, N.M., and Timothy (Leanne) Palmer of Burbank, Calif.; great-grandchildren, Aramis Olson, Kelsey Ann and Alyssa Olson. The family especially thanks all his caregivers and Hospice. Memorial service at 11 a.m. Friday, June 19, in Old Stone Church, 101 E. Union St., Rockton, with visitation from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Memorials may be made to Beloit Regional Hospice, 655 Third St., Suite 200, Beloit, WI 53511, in George A. Palmer's name. Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory, Roscoe Chapel, assisted the family. For online condolences, visit honquestfh.com.