Gerald Palmer

Gerald Patrick “Gerry” Palmer, age 47, of Hilliard, formally of Sebring, passed away Thursday, September 16 at Grant Medical Center from injuries from an automobile accident on August 8. He was born November 30, 1962 in East Patchogue, New York.

Gerry was a 1980 graduate of Sebring High School. He married Kathy Snyder-Palmer on July 19, 2002. Together they have two sons, Bobby Lee and Nic Gustauv Palmer and have built a successful contracting business, Palmer Builders, LLC. The business will continue to operate and will one day be passed down to their two sons.

Gerry attended Wesleyan Cypress Church in Galloway. He was an accomplished builder who loved what he did for a living. He had a special friendship with his employees, Jeremy, Jeff and Dan, and he considered them part of his family. He credited his vast array of carpentry skills and knowledge to his grandfather, Gustauv “Gus” Leistman, who taught him every aspect of furniture building.

Gerry treasured the time he spent with his two sons and had already started teaching them the carpentry trade. He was an extraordinary artist who enjoyed drawing pictures of his boys. He also enjoyed working out with his friends at the gym and traveling with his family. Gerry was an inspiration to all those who knew him and he had a great passion for experiencing life to the fullest!

Gerry was a wonderful and loving father and will be sadly missed by his wife and two sons, father and stepmother, Wally and Thelmarie Long of Greenville, PA; mother, Gail Long of Dayton; brother, Brian (Julie) Long of Tampa, FL; sisters, Kim (Greg) Tarulli of Dayton and Lorraine Long of Mercer, PA; stepsisters, Anna (Travis) Drijjers, and Maggie Badinka of Greenville, PA; mother-in-law, Shirley Snyder of Jewett; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; Mike (Cindy) Snyder of Hopedale; Barbara (Russell) Ossman of Akron; Janet (Jack) Davia of Jewett; Robin (John) Miles of Cadiz; Mark (Dawn) Snyder of Athens, WI; Abbie (Scott) English of Orrville; Sarah Snyder of Jewett; Brian (Kelly) Snyder of Sugarcreek; Ruth (Dave) Wickliff of Croton; and Patty (Scott) Birney of Dennison; as well as many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

A graveside service and burial will be held at Alton Cemetery on Alton & Darby Creek Rd. in Galloway on Saturday, September 25, 2010, at 11 a.m. with Pastor Dale George officiating. A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Cypress Wesleyan Church, 377 Alton & Darby Creek Rd. in Galloway, immediately following the graveside service. The cemetery is located beside the church. A reception following the Celebration of Life Service will be held in the church auditorium. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Capital Area Humane Society, 3015 Scioto-Darby Executive Court, Hilliard, OH 43026.