STEVEN RICHARD PALMER

STEVEN RICHARD PALMER, 75, died Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023. He was the gentle, steady heart of his family, a beloved teacher, and a talented musician. He was a graduate of St. Andrew's Catholic School, Montfort Preparatory Seminary High School (Long Island, N.Y.), St. Louis University, and Indiana University with undergraduate and graduate degrees in History. He was a Social Studies, Technology, and Music teacher for 45 years, beginning at St. Joseph and ending at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Over decades, he humbly shared his faith and talents as the music director at both St. Joseph and St. John Bosco. A self-taught builder and son of a carpenter, his affinity for St. Joseph culminated in the only song he ever wrote, "Hands of a Carpenter". He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Jo Ann (Harber); his son, Michael (Heather); daughters, Darcey (Michael) Palmer-Shultz, and Christa Palmer (Zach) Lange; daughter-in-law, Brooke Charleston; grandchildren, Aubrey, Eli, Ella, Jude, and Eve; as well as his siblings, Thomas (Mary Winicker), John, Julie (Mark) Maddocks, Vince (Kathy), Ron (Karen), and Tim (Kara). He was preceded in death by his son, Andrew. A Funeral Mass is 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2213 Brooklyn Ave., with visitation at 10 a.m. To honor his wishes, contributions will support the placement of a memorial tree at a Fort Wayne park near a memorial tree for his son (via Venmo @StevePalmerMemorial). Memorial gifts may also be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana. For full obituary, visit www.divinemercyfuneralhome.com