Leonard Palmer

Leonard Leon Palmer, 82, of Cape Girardeau passed away peacefully Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013, at the Missouri Veterans Home after a seven-year struggle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).

He was born April 5, 1931, to Leonard and Louise Kelso Palmer in Stoddard County, Mo., and raised in Wolf Lake, Ill., where his family moved while he was still an infant.

He served in the Korean War from 1950 to 1954 on U.S. Bataan 29 and later in Adak, Alaska. He married Patsy Wilson in Wolf Lake on Aug. 20, 1957.

Dr. Palmer, professor emeritus of mathematics at Southeast Missouri State University, retired in 1995, after 33 years of teaching mathematics. He received his undergraduate degree at SEMO in 1958, his master's degree from the University of Illinois in 1961 and his doctoral degree from Oklahoma State University in 1971.

Palmer, a devoted husband and father, enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He attended Grace United Methodist Church, and he had many interests, including woodworking, gardening, collecting gas engines and antique cars. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Patsy, and together, they visited all 50 states, Mexico and Canada. Their drive to Alaska was one of their most memorable trips.

Palmer is survived by his beloved wife and three children: two daughters, Leah (Jim) Zondlo and Laura (Steven) Peel, and a son, Les (Karen) Palmer. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Anne (Darren) Jones, Katie Peel and Jacob Palmer; his brother-in-law, Alfred (Judy) Wilson; nieces; nephews; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Cletus; and a sister, Oleva Carter.

Friends and family are invited to attend a visitation from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

A committal service will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield, Mo., with the Rev. Stan Hargis officiating.

Military rites will be conducted by the Missouri Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Leonard and Patsy Palmer Math Scholarship at SEMO, in care of University Foundation, No. 1 University Plaza MS 7300, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701, or The ALS Association, 1275 K Street NW Suite 250 Washington, D.C. 20005 or the Missouri Veterans Home, 2400 Veteran's Memorial Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.