Thomas F. Palmer

Thomas Franklin Palmer, 81, retired banker, aviator enthusiast, and former civic leader of Oak Harbor, died Friday, February 9, 2007 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Perrysburg, OH. He was born in Oak Harbor March 28, 1925 to the late Fred J. Palmer, Sr. and Margarite L. (Stack). He was a 1943 graduate of Salem- Oak Harbor High School. Tom enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on February 10, 1943 and served in the Pacific Theater during WWII and the Korean conflict 1950 -51 as a Master Sergeant. On June 21, 1947 he married Helen Starmol who preceded him in death October 10, 1991. Mr. Palmer was the Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of the National Bank of Oak Harbor until his retirement in 2000. He also was the Mayor of Oak Harbor from 1968-1976, Knights of Columbus, Oak Harbor Chapter where he obtained 3rd &4th degrees, Oak Harbor Rotary (Past President), Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce (Past President), Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8732, Oak Harbor (Past Commander), American Legion Post 114, Oak Harbor, Past District Chairman of Boy Scouts of America, served on the Board of Public Affairs for the Village of Oak Harbor for many years, and was on various planning committees throughout Ottawa County. One of his favorite thrills was flying over the high school football field during pre-game festivities where Mr. James Wendt would jump from the plane, land in the center of the field, and present the officials with an official high school pigskin for games. Survivors include son Douglas M. and Marilyn Palmer of Oregon, OH; daughters Sandra and Dominick Ciolino of Cincinnati, OH and Karla E. Palmer of Oak Harbor, grandchildren: Kristina M. & Anthony T. Ciolino and Ashleigh M. & Christopher L. Windnagel; brothers Fred J. (Eldonna) Palmer, Jr. of St. Louis, MO., David L. (Mary) Palmer of Toledo, OH, and sister Phyllis McGill of Alabama. Visitation will begin on Monday from 6-8pm and again Tuesday 9am-8:30pm, with the family present 2-4 & 6-8:30pm at the Crosser Funeral Home, Oak Harbor, where a Parish Wake Service is to begin at 8:30pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30am Wednesday, February 14, 2007 with Rev. James Peiffer officiating. Burial will be in Union Cemetery, Oak Harbor with full Military Honors given by VFW Post 8732 & American Legion Post 114. Memorial Contributions can be made either to St. Boniface Rehabilitation and Beautification Fund or Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.crosserfuneralhome.com. Funeral Home: Crosser Funeral Home - Oak Harbor Chapel 301 N. Locust Street Oak Harbor, OH 43449