Thomas W. Palmer (1954-2010)

PALMER, BRANDREIT

Posted By: Ames Tribune
Date: 10/23/2010 at 07:40:06

THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Friday, October 22, 2010.

Thomas W. Palmer, 56, of DeKalb, Ill., died Monday, Oct. 11, 2010, in the Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill. Funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Ames, with Father James Secora officiating. Burial of cremains will be in Ames Municipal Cemetery. Cremation has taken place in Finch Crematory.

Born May 17, 1954, in Watertown, S.D., he was the son of Paul and Althea (Brandreit) Palmer. Tom was educated in Ames; he attended St. Cecilia Catholic School, Central Junior High, and Ames High School, graduating in 1972 with a profound interest in all things automotive. He worked with his brother, Bob, at Palmer Automotive and Customs and then operated the business as Palmer Automotive before deciding to attend college. Tom graduated from Iowa State University in 1981 with a B.S. degree in industrial safety. He worked for several years with Bourns and Hach Chemical, of Ames, before moving to DeKalb where he worked for many years as a safety engineer with Ideal.

In 1997, he was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, and with the loving support of his daughters, family and friends, he was able to help his doctors and medical team advance the treatment and survivability of the disease for many years beyond their initial estimates.

Through the years, his hobbies included tuning and racing cars and dirt bikes. He was known for his smile and great sense of humor that will be dearly missed. Tom has lived in the DeKalb community since 1984, moving here from Ames. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in DeKalb, the DeKalb County Farm Bureau, and the American Society of Safety Engineers.

Survivors include daughters, Lisa Palmer and Michelle Palmer; parents, Paul and Althea Palmer; brothers, Doug (Kay) Palmer and Bob Palmer; and nieces, Amy Palmer and Julie Palmer.

He was preceded in death by grandparents, Matthew and Mary Brandreit and William and Florence Palmer.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to be established at a later date. To send an online condolence, visit www.ronanmoorefinch.com. Arrangements were entrusted to Ronan-Moore-Finch Funeral Home, 310 Oak St., DeKalb, IL, 60115.

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