Donald Earl Palmer

Donald Earl Palmer, 83, of Meadville, passed away Wednesday, October 3, 2018, at Marquette Hospice House surrounded by family. Don was born February 20, 1935 in Meadville, PA to the late Elizabeth and Richard Palmer.  He served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany where he met his wife, Erika (Stübeling) Palmer.  They were married on December 6, 1957 in Steinheim, Germany and have been married for 60 years. Don graduated in 1955 from Townville High School. He resided in Centerville, Linesville and Harmonsburg before settling in Meadville. He was employed by FMC/Viscose/Avtex in Meadville until its closing and then he worked at Channellock, in the die room, until his retirement in July 2002.  He drove school bus for many years with the Crawford Central School District, which he enjoyed.   He also enjoyed baking and collecting recipes, playing solitaire on the computer and surfing the internet for new recipes.  As a young man he enjoyed working on the family farm in Centerville, Pa.  His passion was raising dairy cows and his pet pig “Suzie”.  He loved his wife, his children and grandchildren. Donald was a member of Saint Agatha’s Roman Catholic Church. Don is survived by his wife, Erika, his daughters Angela Peterson, Evelyn Palmer (Duane Smith), and his son Donald J. Palmer of Colorado, his two grandchildren Brandon Peterson( Samantha Hays and her daughter Serenity) of Hermitage, PA and Zeth Palmer of Greenville, PA, his brother Charles Griggs (Lois) and his niece Janet.  He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents John and Mary Rober, his uncle George Rober, a niece Andrea, and his beloved Cocker Spaniel Heidi. The family would like to thank the staff of Rolling Fields, Inc. for the wonderful and loving care that they provided to Donald during his stay there.   Also, a thank you to the staff at Hospice of Crawford County, Inc. and the Marquette Hospice House for the care that they provided Don in his final days. Family and friends are invited to call at Hatheway-Tedesco Funeral Home & Crematory on Saturday, October 6 from 12-2p.m. A service will immediately follow at the funeral home with Father Andy Boyd officiating.  There will be a private burial at St. Agatha’s Cemetery. Due to his love of animals, the family suggests in lieu of flowers that memorials be made to the Crawford County Humane Society, 11012 Kennedy Hill Road, Meadville, PA  16335.