Cleo May Palmer
April 25, 1923 - January 19, 2013
Obituary
In Memory of Cleo M. Palmer
Cleo May Palmer was born on a farm in Sullivan County, Indiana April 25th 1923 to a coal miner turned Baptist Preacher, part-time farmer, Floyd Skinner and his bride, Mary Jane (Harlow) Skinner. Cleo grew up on the farm with seven brothers and sisters; Clarence the eldest, followed by Ivan, Ruby, Opal, Ernest, Mildred and Max. After graduating from Sullivan High School Cleo moved to Terre Haute, Indiana where at the age of nineteen she worked at the Mr. Peanut Candy Store.
In 1943, Cleo’s older brother Clarence was married to Martha Sue. He joined the Army where he was stationed in Fort Lewis, WA. Getting ready to ship overseas and unable to return home to meet his 4-month old daughter, Wilma Jean; Cleo, Martha Sue and baby set off on a cross county train ride to introduce Clarence to his new daughter. Cleo decided to stay in the Tacoma area after Martha Sue and daughter returned to Indiana. Cleo found a good job as a riveter working in the Ship Yards. It wasn’t long before she caught the eye of a handsome young welder working in the ship yards named Milton Palmer. It was love at first sight. Soon though, Milton had his own military obligation to fulfill and joined the Construction Battalion (C.B.’s) of the U.S. Navy. Milt and Cleo corresponded while he was away at war. She continued her work at the ship yards then later turning to retail sales at Peoples Department Store on Pacific Avenue downtown Tacoma. Once the war was over, Milton and Cleo were reunited. The new family moved into a little house on K Street in Tacoma and was constant companions of Milton’s Brother Jerry and his wife Eilene.
February 5, 1946 Milton and Cleo were married in Tacoma, WA. Milt was employed as a Bus Driver and Log Truck Driver and Cleo remained employed at the Peoples Department Store. In October 1948, Milton and Cleo were blessed with their first son John Wesley. Soon thereafter they moved to Peoria, Illinois for Milton’s job with the Letoureau Westinghouse Company. In 1952, the family was blessed for the second time with another son Kenton Lee.
Milt’s business career in heavy earth moving equipment took the family from Peoria to Crawfordsville, Indiana to Salt Lake City, Utah back again to the Tacoma/Federal Way, Wa. area. All the while, Cleo was the glue that held the family together. She proudly wore the title of Den Mother, Boy Scott Pack Leader, Baseball Coach, Bicycle Mechanic, Dance Partner and Driving Instructor.
In the mid-1960’s the family settled in Federal Way, Wa near Dash Point State Park. Cleo worked at Payless Store starting as a clerk, working her way up the ladder and became the manager of the fabric department. She eventually retired from Payless.
Cleo was an excellent Bowler. She played on many bowling leagues around the greater Federal Way area. Cleo also enjoyed fishing trips with the family, camping at Big Creek, and occasionally has been seen riding a motorcycle. With two active growing boys she took an active role in their lives, in their hobbies and their interests. Cleo’s many other interests include sewing, gardening and power walks with her girlfriends. After the death of her husband in 1992, she became the self-appointed social director for Ladies of Parkwood Lane Walking Club.
The last few years of her life, Cleo moved to an Adult Family Care Home where she continued to make friends with the staff and the residence.
Cleo will be interned alongside her husband in the Rose Garden of the Mountain View Cemetery Tacoma, WA. Together forever.
Cleo is survived by her two sons, John and Ken; daughter-in-law Leanna and two grandsons Keith and Jay; Brother Max and numerous nephews, nieces and friends. Cleo was a strong, wonderful woman that will be missed by us all.
We send our deepest condolences to the Palmer Family.
Todd and I have had the pleasure of knowing John & Leanna for many years and two finer people one could not meet. This being such a sad time for them we would like to send our love and friendship in the hopes that it will help them in this time of need. Cleo was much loved by all those who’s life she had touched. Were sorry we will not be able to attend the memorial in person but please know that our hearts are with you. Love
We will miss Cleo’s cheerful attitude and smile. She loved her family and was a wonderful mother to her boys. May she rest at peace in the arms of the Lord forever.
Cleo I for one will miss you, I always think of our cookie exchange way back when, the good times we used to have.You gave my daughter a very great Man & me a wonderful son-in-law,”John”. I prayed for your health everyday, but you have paved the path for us to follow. God Bless Your Family, A Dear Friend that I will Miss Very Much..
Cleo was not only a loving, caring aunt, but a best friend as well. Being only 16 years my senior, she was like a big sister to me when she came to Terre Haute to live with us and work at the Mr. Peanut store. I have precious memories of our visits to the store on her days off … the aroma of fresh roasted nuts and especially the free samples! Another special memory is surprising her at her 80th birthday party. What a great celebation with her loving family and friends. Her laughter, quick wit, generous and kind nature will be missed by us all. She loved life and enjoyed her beautiful collection of angels. Now she is one of them.
John & Leanna,
I am deeply saddened by the loss of Cleo. The obituary write up was very nice and provided a tribute to a great woman and her life. There is also much good that comes from knwing or learning about an exceptional person such as Cleo, and that is too busy never stops anyone from staying engaged and involved in life around. Regardless of the task of being “Rosie the Riveter” at the shipyard or a mother at home, she was a great example to live by and you guys an example of her legacy.
Rest in peace.
My great aunt, Cleo, was always very special to me. My mother, Nancy (Ruby’s daughter) was always very close to her. She was more like an older sister to her than an aunt. I still have the beautiful afghan that Aunt Cleo made for me as a wedding gift. She was a very sweet and thoughtful woman. She will be missed.
I feel so blessed to have had such a wonderful Aunt who is finally at peace in the embrace our loving Lord. I will forever cherish the beautiful memories of my Aunt Cleo and my heart felt sympathy to John and Leanna, Ken, Cleo’s grandsons Keith and Jay and her brother Max. I will always remember and love Aunt Cleo and her glorious smile, she was so very special to me.
Cleo was a wonderful friendly lady. We helped her with her bird pets. We will miss her and we know she will be missed by her sons. God speed Cleo. Our condolences to her family and other friends.