Dorthy Palmer

PULASKI, Ill. -- Dorthy Virginia Troester Palmer, 80, of Pulaski died at 12:10 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9, 2006, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

Mrs. Palmer was born Aug. 4, 1925, at Pulaski, daughter of Lindsey and Nannie Thurston Troester.

Mrs. Palmer was a lifelong resident of Pulaski. She was a member of Pulaski Christian Church, where she served as a deaconess and a member of the Ladies Aid, and was an original member of the church's quartet.

She was a member of Pulaski Unit Homemakers Extension, an original member of Pulaski Civic Club where she served as the person in charge of donating pies for the Pulaski Civic Club stand at the Pulaski County Fair for years, and was a former member of the Ladies VFW Auxiliary 8891 at Mounds, Ill.

Mrs. Palmer was a cook with Pulaski Schools and later at Rife Memorial School in Villa Ridge, Ill. She enjoyed cooking and worked at the Pulaski Cafe, Dixie Drive Inn, and Mel's Diner all in Pulaski, and was a housewife and homemaker.

Mrs. Palmer was married to William Vaughn Palmer 58 years. He preceded her in death July 23, 2004. She was also preceded in death by her parents, an infant sister and three brothers, Jimmy, Robert and William Troester.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Stephen "Butch" Palmer and Jeanie of Lancaster, Pa., two daughters and sons-in-law, Jane and George Nelson of Olmsted, Ill., Susan and Don Henson of Cape Girardeau; a sister, Mary Hooppaw of Bradley, Ill.; a brother, Russell Troester and wife Janet of Florissant, Mo.; grandchildren, Matthew and Andrew Palmer of Lancaster, Becky Williams and husband Billy Anderson of Ullin, Ill., Michelle Williams and husband J.T. Lang of Olmsted, Timothy Williams of Pulaski, Bill Churchill, Kerri Churchill, and Cheri Churchill, all of Cape Girardeau.

Also surviving are stepgrandchildren, George Nelson Jr. and Amanda Nelson of Champaign, Ill., Rose Nelson of Iceland, Ruth Nelson of Cobden, Ill., Danny Henson, David and Linda Henson, and Tammy Henson, all of Cape Girardeau; great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Williams of Ullin, James Thomas Lang III and Michael Henry Lang of Olmsted, Alex Churchill of Cape Girardeau; great-stepgrandchildren, Don Michael Henson, Cody Henson, and Dillon Henson of Cape Girardeau; several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at Pulaski Christian Church from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, and Friday from 8 a.m. until time of service.

Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the church, with the Rev. Don Henson officiating. Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Pulaski.

At the request of the family, expressions of sympathy may take the form of memorials to Pulaski Christian Church Ladies Aid, Mrs. Agnes Thurston, P.O. Box 97, Pulaski, Ill., 62976.

Jones Funeral Home at Villa Ridge, Ill., is in charge of arrangements.