Timothy F. Palmer

1945 - 2015

Timothy F. Palmer

Tim was born October 17, 1945 in Akron, Ohio. He enrolled at Miami University, from which he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics in 1967.

Following graduation from Miami, Tim moved to New York before being drafted into the United States Army and deployed to the Vietnam War. Tim was a platoon leader in Vietnam, earning three Bronze Star Medals; he was proudest of his Combat Infantry Badge. He was a life-long member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and a loyal friend to his fellow combat infantrymen across the country and around the world.

Tim's life immediately after Vietnam was marked by an insatiable hunger for adventure and professional achievement. He set out to see and understand the world, teaching himself to speak four languages - English, French, Portuguese and Spanish. He took a job hauling freight in France, ran with the bulls in Spain, was godfather to the children of friends in Mexico. He was up for anything. He lived overseas for nine years, most in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he was blessed with the birth of his beloved daughter, Carmen. His business career stretched over 20 years.

In 1990, while working toward two masters degrees at Purdue University, Tim met the love of his life, Mary Jo Bartolacci. Tim and Mary Jo were married in 1996 and remained devoted life partners until his death last week.

Tim's interests were as diverse as his life's experiences. He enjoyed English and American literature, particularly the works of Ernest Hemingway; he loved Old Man and the Sea. He liked modern art, skeet shooting, Latin American cultures, carpentry and automobile mechanics. He was a member of associations including the American History Association, Mensa Society, the Sports Car Association of America, the National Rifle Association, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion - Post 11, Saint Boniface Church, Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi honorary fraternity, and the VFW.

Tim is survived by his wife, Mary Jo, his daughter, Carmen, his brothers Joe, Bill and John Palmer, his sister Mindy Fulvimar, his step children Alex, Alison and John Hipsher, and many nieces and nephews, all of whom he held lovingly in his mind and heart to the end.

Services for Timothy F. Palmer will take place Wednesday at St. Boniface Church in Lafayette, IN, starting with visitation at 1:30 PM EST followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 2:30 PM EST, Fr. Mark Walter officiating. To honor Tim's life and memory, his family asks that all donations be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, West Central Indiana. Hahn-Groeber Funeral & Cremation Service is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be left at www.hahngroeberfuneralhome.com