Mark Palmer, 71

Mark M. Palmer, age 71, of Three Rivers, formerly of Texas, passed away Wednesday, October 10th, at his home. Mark was born in Gary, IN on May 20, 1941, a son of Mark Twain and Jennie (Celisz) Palmer. He attended school in Three Rivers. On July 28, 1973 Mark married Debra J. Pearson in Kosciusko County, Indiana. Mark worked at Henkel & McCoy in Elkhart for 15 years retiring in 2003. He previously worked at Portage Metal & Refinishing in Three Rivers for 17 years. He was a farm tractor enthusiast and was a member of the St. Joe Valley Old Engine Club. He also enjoyed bowling and auto racing having raced stock cars.

Surviving are his wife Debra Palmer, Three Rivers, children Tracy Ann Bent of Middlebury, Jennie Lynn Palmer of Three Rivers, Mark Palmer of Three Rivers, and Troy Allen (Tracey) Palmer of Marcellus, sisters Mary Shirk of Three Rivers, Irene Palmer of Three Rivers, brothers Ernest Palmer of Texas, Earl (Sharon) Palmer of Three Rivers, and Bill Atkinson of Texas, grandchldren Bridgett, Danny, Corey, Randy, Christopher, Travis and Austin, and a great granddaughter Janessa, several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Betty Carlson, and brother Alfred “Butch” Palmer.

Relatives and friends will be received Friday from 2 – 4 and 6 – 8 pm at the Eley Funeral Home in Constantine. Religious Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, October 13th, at the funeral home with Reverend Gary Carr, Corey Church of the Nazarene, officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Corey Church of the Nazarene or West Michigan Cancer Center. On line messages may be left for the family at www.eleyfuneralhomes.com.