Velva M. Palmer

Danville- Velva Mae Palmer, 95, of Danville passed away at 3:58 PM on Thursday, August 12, 2010 at her residence. She was born August 11, 1915 in Oakwood on Kickapoo Park Rd, the daughter of Robert Steele and Elizabeth King Gillen. She married Gerald J. Palmer in Danville in 1935. Surviving are two sons, Jerry Glen (Janet) Palmer of Peoria, IL and James (Cheryl) Palmer of Danville; six grandchildren Chip (Teresa) Palmer of Danville, Brad (Crystal) Palmer of Whitestown, IN, Vicky Lynn Tharp of Potomac, Leighton Henry (Sherri) Palmer of NC, Leann Palmer of Danville, and Rachel Langanis of Peoria; many great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson. Preceding her in death were three brothers Jesse Clifford Gillen, Ferris Robert Rudy Gillen, who was killed during WWII in 1942, and Dale Thornton Gillen; and two sisters Margaret Hazel Null and June Durbin. Velva attended various churches including Walnut Church of Christ, St. James Methodist, and Old Union Church and Crossroads where she had been for the last 20 years. She loved her family dearly and fixed many holiday dinners as long as she could. A service to celebrate the life of Velva Palmer will be held at 2 PM on Monday, August 16, 2010 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, A Life Celebration Home in Danville. Paul Zebart will officiate. Burial will follow at Allhands Cemetery in Danville. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services from 1-2 PM also at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.