Sidney Donald Palmer, 88, of Morgantown, (formerly of Allegany), passed away on Oct. 6, 2020, at his home. Sid was born in Olean, N.Y. to Sidney and Helen Palmer on Sept. 4, 1932. He attended Otto Township Schools and graduated in 1951. He was drafted into the Army right out of high school to serve in the Korean War and was stationed in Alaska as a mechanic. After his military service, he attended Williamsport Technical College where he earned a degree in mechanical drafting. On Aug. 23, 1958, he married Martha Jean Nelson at Duke Center Methodist Church in Duke Center, Pa.
He worked as a draftsman at Dresser Clark Co. and later as a Sales Manager for Castolin Eutectic. In 1990, following in the footsteps of this father, he purchased a service station in Allegany that he owned until his retirement in 1997. He spent many years actively involved in his church, Christ United Methodist, where he held several leadership roles. He enjoyed traveling and spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren.
Sid was kind and generous with a quick wit. He enjoyed nothing more than attending activities for his grandchildren or having breakfast and coffee with friends. He loved getting to know people and never met a stranger. He always had a warm smile and a friendly greeting for everyone. He loved sitting on the front porch with Martha Jean and talking to neighbors as they walked by.
Sid is survived by his wife, Martha Jean, of Morgantown (formerly of Allegany); his daughter, Betsy (Vincent) Johns, of Morgantown; Brian (Laurie) Palmer, of Columbus, Ohio; five grandchildren, Nicholas Johns, Hilary (Tyler) Dean and Cory Johns, of Morgantown, and Charlie Palmer and Louise Palmer, of Columbus, Ohio; two great-grandchildren, Sawyer Dean and Lane Dean, of Morgantown; his brothers, Homer Palmer, of Palm Springs, Calif., and William (Kay) Palmer, of Leesburg, Fla.; his sister-in-law, Kay Palmer, of Knapp Creek, N.Y.; and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Audrey Goodell; his brother, Alvin Palmer; and his mother-in-law, Esther Nelson.
Cremation was arranged by the Fred Jenkins Funeral Home, of Morgantown. A Service of Remembrance will be held at a later date. Donations in memory of Sid may be made to the American Diabetes Association at P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023 (1-800-342-2383, www.diabetes.org/donate/donate-memorial).
The family also wishes to extend gratitude to Harmony at Morgantown for providing such a comfortable and safe community for senior citizens in the Morgantown area.
