Samuel Palmer, 96, of Mount Carmel, Illinois, passed away on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at Oakview Heights Continuous Care in Mount Carmel. He was born on March 13, 1925 in Chauncey, Illinois, the son of Samuel and Bessie (Shank) Palmer. Sam married Emily “Jane” Wilcox on January 29, 1946 in San Francisco, CA. They both loved to tell the story of them meeting on a Sunday and married on a Tuesday. Together they enjoyed seventy years of marriage before Jane’s passing on July 8, 2016.
Sam enlisted in the United States Navy on August 22, 1942 at the age of seventeen. His first assignment was on the USS Heywood where he would transport troops for the invasion of Attu. Abroad the USS Heywood, Sam also participated in the Battle of Leyte, Guadalcanal, Gilbert Islands and Luzon. During the Battle of Tarawa, Sam piloted a landing craft ferrying marines from ship to shore and also returning wounded soldiers to the ship. At the young age of eighteen, Sam was promoted to Motor Mechanic 1st Class. In 1942, he was assigned to the USS Vigilance as a mine sweeper and a destroyer escort. The ship patrolled the channel for submarines. The USS Vigilance was awarded many medals for their bravery and dedication to our Country.
Sam will be remembered as a loving husband father, grandfather and loyal friend to many. He and Jane worked as over the road truck drivers for North American Van Lines and Bekins Moving Company. They loved hitting the road together and looked forward to their next adventure. In 2012, Sam began working in the maintenance department at Wal-Mart where he enjoyed his work and the many friends he made. In his free time, Sam loved to bake many different kinds of cobblers and share with family and friends. He will be missed by his family and all who knew him.
Sam will be remembered by his children, John Palmer and wife Jackie of Albion, IL, Sam Palmer and wife Janice of Phoenix, AZ, and Terry Liddle of Salem, IL; grandchildren, Craig (Lisa) Liddle, Jole (Jane) Liddle, Nicholas (Brittany) Palmer, Lyndsay Palmer, Summer Milroy, and Samuel (Jandra) Palmer; great grandchildren, Gaven Liddle, Madison (Eli) Smith, Mallory Liddle, Drew Liddle, Alexander Palmer, Carson Spears, and Zachary Palmer; one great great granddaughter, Violet Palmer; two sisters, Carolyn Murphy, and Millie Thompson; many loved cousins, nieces and nephews. Sam was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Jane Palmer; three brothers, and two sisters.
A Graveside Service with Full Military Honors will be at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, February 26, 2022, at Highland Memorial Cemetery where Sam will be laid to rest next to his wife, Jane.
Keepes Funeral Home is serving the family with the arrangements. To view Sam’s
tribute wall, purchase flowers and leave condolences for the Palmer family, please visit www.keepesfuneralhome.com
