Joseph C. Palmer, 1954-2009

PALMER, WHITE, SMITH

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 2/26/2015 at 18:24:06

Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA) - Wednesday, February 4, 2009

FARLEY, Iowa - Joseph C. Palmer, 54, of Dubuque, formerly of Farley, died at 10:45 a.m. Monday, Feb. 2, 2009, at Dubuque Nursing and Rehab Center, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Farley, with the Rev. Dennis Cain officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Farley. Friends may call from 3 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, at Reiff Funeral Home, Farley, where there will be a wake service at 4 p.m.

He was born on Feb. 16, 1954, in Dubuque, son of Carl (Chick) and Mary (White) Palmer. He graduated from St. Joseph High School, Farley, in 1972. Following graduation, he attended Brown Institute in Minneapolis, where he earned his certificate in radio and TV broadcasting. He also received a certificate in advanced television techniques.

His first position was at WPOK in Decatur, Ill., followed by KOUR in Independence, where he was public relations director. He returned to Minneapolis in the late 1970s to accept a position with Corporate Resources as an executive personnel recruiter. He was currently employed at Nordstrom's in Dubuque.

Joe was an outdoor enthusiast. He enjoyed fishing and riding his bike on the country roads, enjoying nature and especially the wildlife. He also enjoyed reading and movies. He was an avid baseball fan, having played in high school and after graduation semi-pro. One of his greatest joys was following his nephew through high school baseball and to the state tournament two years in succession. He was a Cubs fan.

He was a member of the men's CEW (Christian Experience Weekend) of Farley. He attended each year, assisting where needed. Joe was a very generous person, always ready to assist anyone in need.

Surviving are his mother, Mary M. (White) Palmer, of Farley; a brother, John J. (Peg) Palmer, of Dyersville; nephew and godchild, Jeff Palmer, of Des Moines; a niece, Gina Marie (Rick) Smith, of Dubuque; a nephew, Christopher Palmer, of Dyersville; and several aunts, uncles and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Carl J. (Chick) Palmer, on Jan. 5, 2003; and grandparents, Julius and Genevieve White and Charles and Kathryn Palmer; and several aunts and uncles.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com.

Joe's family extends its thanks and appreciation to the doctors and staff of Dubuque Internal Medicine, The Dubuque Nursing and Rehab Center for their dedicated care and concern, and the Above and Beyond Hospice for the care given Joe throughout the past two months.

Also, thanks for the support, concern and love throughout this illness from friends and co-workers at Nordstrom's. You made his Christmas and the holiday season special. Now his family understands why he loved his work and often said, "I look forward to going to work each day." Thanks to all who touched Joe's life during this difficult time.