Michael James Palmer

October 20, 1943 - March 4, 2016

Mike was born in Marshall, Minnesota to Arthur and Eileen Palmer. He was the fifth of nine children. In 1953, Art and Eileen packed their seven children and belongings into a car and a family owned bus and moved them all to San Bernardino, California. In 1957, they settled in Rialto, California. Mike excelled in school and the Boy Scouts of America. He graduated from Eisenhower High School in Rialto, California in 1961. He then moved to Los Angeles with his two older sisters, Patricia Snyder and the late Pamela Smith. They worked together at the Money Order Clearing House. In April 1965, Mike was drafted into the United States Army. He served 13 months in Vietnam, coming home to Rialto in February, 1967. From the time he got out of the service, Mike began mentoring kids through the Verdemont Boys Town, the Beaumont Boys Town of the Desert, Juvenile Hall in San Bernardino and various group homes. He later worked for and retired from the Railroad Transportation Department. In his retirement, Mike's hobbies included family, architecture drafting, country music and playing "500". Michael James Palmer was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Eileen Palmer, sister Pamela Smith, brothers William (Bill) and Jeremiah (Jerry) Palmer, and nephews Gregory and Arthur Smith. He is survived by his five loving sisters, Patricia (James) Snyder, Kathleen Butler, Donna (Robert) Donaldson, Monica (Kent) Bowcutt, and Cheryl (Kenneth) Decker, His uncle, William Farrell, aunts, Denise Alberg and Sister Mary Jeremiah Farrell, many nephews and nieces and cousins. It broke our hearts to lose you but you did not go alone...For part of us went with you when you were quietly called Home. Following services, the family will gather at the home of Donna and Bob Donaldson. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America www.alzfdn.org