Charles Edward
'Ed' Palmer
OCEAN VIEW - Charles Edward "Ed" Palmer passed away peacefully at home on October 20, 2021 in the care of loving family.
He was born at home in Showell, Maryland on December 12, 1930, to John Palmer and Edith Ione Shockley Palmer. To family and friends, he was known as "Ebbie", then simply "Ed". He grew up as one of five siblings in the open countryside of rural Maryland with happy summers spent at Ocean City, and graduated from Buckingham High School in Berlin, Md., Class of 1947. He attended every class reunion for many years.
In 1951, Ed enlisted in the United States Air Force, and later that year married his sweetheart, Barbara Elliott. Ed served in the Air Force for 20 years (1951-1971) in the Strategic Air Command as a radio/communications/navigation specialist. He served a tour of duty in Japan and was a Korean War veteran. Ed and Barbara raised three children among the many deployments and transfers of military life.
After retiring from the Air Force at Dover AFB, Ed and Barbara bought a home on Sunset Terrace in Dover, and Ed went to work for the State of Delaware in the Division of Highways Traffic Control Department and worked there for 15 more years. Ed and Barbara were active members of the Modern Maturity Center for years until her passing in 2013. Ed continued to enjoy singing with the groups there and was a videographer for many of the shows. He volunteered in the Senior Volunteer Program and the USO.
In recent years, Ed moved closer to family in Ocean View, Del., residing with his youngest sister Ellen Hitchens and her husband, Ralph Hitchens who passed September 2020. There, Ed continued his life-long love of handy-man projects and yard beautification, right up until weeks before he passed. He was a member of the Millville Methodist Church where he sang in the choir, his beautiful voice and love of music another life-long passion. Ed was a member of the Mason-Dixon VFW Post #7234 and volunteered at the traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall as a guide in 2019.
Ed Palmer lived a life of service and volunteerism and whispered just days before his passing that he was "proud" of his service to his country. He has left a legacy that inspires all who knew him and prompted one grandson to say, "I hope that I will be half the man that he is".
Ed was preceded in death by his parents and his wife; by a sister, Carolyn Palmer Cathell; a brother, John R. "Jack" Palmer; and a brother, James Orlando "Whitey" Palmer.
He is survived by his children, Patti Lynn Palmer Rose (Michael Jones) of North Carolina, Nancy Anne Palmer Tallon of Dover, and Neal Edward Palmer of Florida; along with 12 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews of their beloved "Uncle Ed'; and his sister and devoted caregiver, Ellen Hitchens.
Letters of condolences can be sent via www.pippinfuneralhome.com