Gerald J. “Gil” Palmer, 78, of Leipsic, died 9:42 am, Sunday, December 07, 2008 at Putnam Acres Care Center, Ottawa. He was born April 25, 1930 in Toledo to the late Clarence and Catherine (Kolacki) Pankowski. On June 10, 1949, he married Madeline Berry and she survives in Leipsic.
Other survivors include his daughters: Sandra (Greg) Schoonover of Elida, Kristine (Dennis) Cupp of Leipsic, Gloria (Kevin) Vance of Pandora and Jackie (Scott) Boroff of Defiance; 8 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and 2 sisters: Catherine (Butch) Meyer of Cincinnati and Carol Davis of BoxElder, SD.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Larry Pankowski and a sister, Millie Daunhauer.
Mr. Palmer retired with the Division of Wildlife Department of Natural Resources in Findlay as a District Supervisor.
He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Leipsic; a US Army Veteran who served in Korea where he earned a Purple Heart. He was a member of the Military Order of Purple Heart Chapter 1981, Leipsic VFW, Ducks Unlimited, NRA and its institute for legislative action, Buckeye State Sheriffs Assoc., Leipsic Eagles, US Sportsman’s Alliance, North American Fishing and Hunting Clubs, Wildlife Forever, Putnam County Peace Officers Assoc., and Grand Rapids Sportsman’s Club. He had earned the Memorial Conservation Award, 1975 Wildlife Officer of the Year, Shikar Safari International Award, Ohio Senate Award, Sportsman’s Club of Toledo Top Conservation Award, and Service Awards for the Conservation and Management of Wildlife and the Division of Wildlife Development and Advancement of Conservation in Ohio.
A mass of Christian burial will begin at 10:30 am, Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Leipsic with Fr. Ron Warnimont officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military rites by the Leipsic VFW and the Putman County Peace Officers. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 pm Tuesday at LOVE-HEITMEYER FUNERAL HOME, Leipsic. Memorial donations may be made to Putnam County Hospice.
Condolences may be sent to: www.lovewfuneralhome.com.