Howard Palmer

Howard Richmond Palmer, 89, wife of Wilhelmina (Billie) K. Palmer, who passed May 1, 2015, and son of George B. Palmer and Alma Dora Glann Palmer, passed away peacefully to our Lord on Saturday, May 21. He was surrounded by his family and caregivers. He is survived by his 5 children, Becky Palmer Anderson (Yogi), David Palmer (Amy), Betsy Palmer Kremer (Mike), Steven Palmer (Thomas Aswad), Chris Palmer (Lisa); 11 grandchildren: Rachel, Luke and Maria Anderson, Patrick, Ted and Anne Palmer, Misha and Arie Kremer, Samantha, Danielle and Brady Palmer; sister and brother-in-law Toppie and David Bates, nephew Matthew Bates and niece Heidi Youker; nephews Robert Taylor, George Jr. Palmer and Jim Palmer, nieces Susan Parkinson, Libby Jean Riger, and Lex Palmer Colman along with many additional dear family members and close friends. Howie was born and raised on Main St. in Apalachin, NY before moving to Endwell where he lived most of his life and raised his family. He spent his final years with the Kremer family in Westminster, MD under Betsy and Mike’s guidance and several caregivers who became family. He was Valedictorian of his class at Owego Free Academy and a graduate of Manlius Military Academy. Howie was a Veteran of World War II and Korean War while serving in both the Navy and Army. He graduated from Brown University and was a member of Delta Phi. After brief careers with GE and IBM in 1956, Howie was career driven - he chose to start his own State Farm Agency in Endwell, becoming the first State Farm Agent in the Southern Tier. He began the Agency in his home while later moving it to East Main St in Endwell. He became a top producing Agent for 50 years. Howie was also a Rotarian, gave back to the community and always gave to others in need without hesitation. Howie cherished and loved his Canadian family and cottage in Point Comfort, Quebec where he enjoyed fishing, hunting, shore dinners, and good time folk singing and camaraderie. Howie also loved his hobby of owning race horses for over 40 years. He was the life of any social gathering - chock full of funny jokes and stories, and enjoyed life to the fullest. June 2 is Howie’s 60th wedding anniversary to the love of his life Billie - they are celebrating in heaven together again.

Funeral Services for Howie will be held on Thursday at 10:30 am at Trinity Memorial Church, 44 Main Street, Binghamton. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family in Vestal Hills Memorial Park, Vestal. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 3-6 pm at the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main Street, Endicott. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Howie’s memory may be made to The Carroll Hospice Dove House, 292 Stoner Avenue, Westminster, MD 21157 or Trinity Memorial Church, Binghamton, NY. Howie and Billie were supportive members of Trinity Memorial Church for over 70 years since their marriage there in 1956.