Retha Mae Palmer

Age 86 of Wilmington, Illinois, died Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at Spring Creek Nursing Home in Joliet, Illinois.

Born September 30, 1938 in Buckhorn, Illinois, Retha Mae was a daughter of Ralph and Retha Faye (Henry) Osborn. She was raised in Eureka and Peoria, Illinois, and on December 8, 1962 she married Earl A. Palmer at the Madison Avenue Methodist Church in Peoria. Together, they would relocate to Wilmington where they would make their home and raise their family. Retha worked for K-Mart in Kankakee, Illinois for over 30 years until she retired. She was an avid crafter with sewing and crochet being her favorites, but she also enjoyed crosswords and word searches. Retha also took pleasure in going to the Wilmington VFW for bingo, because being with people is where she was happiest. She kept everyone on their toes but showed love and kindness to all she came to know as her found family. Retha was affectionately known as the neighborhood grandma and looked after all the children in her circle. Her great sense of humor and infectious laugh was recognizable by anyone and her kindness was free to anyone who showed kindness to her and her family.

Survivors include three grandchildren: Arlene Osborn of Coal City, Illinois, Steven Osborn of Joliet, Illinois, and David Tibbett of Wisconsin; four great grandchildren: Ashley Goodwin (Tony Feigel), David Goodwin, Jr., Devin Goodwin, and Keegan Lauffer; four great-great grandchildren: Ana and Alex Feigel, Khaleesi Gregory, and Brielle Goodwin; four brothers: Robert (the late Clara) Soborn, Ron (Paula) Osborn, Richard (Gale) Osborn, and Ray Osborn; brothers and sisters-in-law: Donald(Jean) Palmer, Laurel Walters, Pamela (Mike) Woolcott, and Meri Bauer; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews.

Retha was preceded in death by her parents and her husband; one son, Randy Osborn, one brother, Donald Osborn; and one brother-in-law, Joe (Patti) Palmer.

The family will receive friends at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road, in Wilmington on Thursday, March 13, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of funeral service at 12:00 p.m. Interment will immediately follow the services at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois where Retha will be laid to rest with her husband.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book, upload photographs, and share Retha's memorial page via social media.

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves, Fruland, & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory in Wilmington (815) 476-2181.