Retired pastor and evangelist, Rev. Norman Palmer, 91, of Franklin, Indiana, went home to be with the Lord early Sunday morning, October 18, 2020 at Life’s Journey of Avon.
He was born July 6, 1929 in Iron County, Missouri, a son of the late Walter and Zella (Hamilton) Palmer.
One of 11 children raised on a Southeastern Missouri farm, Norman was high energy and very ornery as a boy. He was saved at the age of 11 and later accepted a call to the ministry, even though he wanted to be a farmer and felt his older brother was more qualified to be a pastor. On July 26, 1949, Norman married the love of his life and faithful partner in ministry, Carolyn Scaggs.
Rev. Palmer entered the ministry in 1954 and was active in ministry for 61 years. He pastored in the Church of the Nazarene in: Annapolis and Brosley, Missouri; Fulton, Kentucky; and Clayton, Eagledale (Indianapolis), and Franklin, Indiana. He was the pastor of the church in Franklin for 21 years. He also served as an evangelist and pastored the Trinity Lighthouse Church in Franklin for several years.
Known for always being in a suit, Rev. Palmer was very serious about church. He carried a heavy burden for the lost, held high standards, and was a friend and encourager to younger pastors. In addition to pastoring and building churches spiritually, he also built churches physically, constructing 15 churches across Indiana.
Rev. Palmer had an exuberance for life. He loved horses, farming, rebuilding tractors, attending auctions, collecting, and fishing. He cherished time with his family, playing games, and laughing.
Those left to cherish Norman’s memory include his wife of 71 years, Carolyn Palmer; two children, Dennis (Trena) Palmer of Franklin and Pamela (David) Garner of Avon; five grandchildren, Susan (Steve) Suits, Dara (Randy) Gentry, Ryan (Andrea) Garner, Emily (Abram) Book, and Bradley (Brenna) Palmer; 12 great-grandchildren, Katelynn, Montana, Abigail, Ramsey, Philip, Alexandrea, Kaylee, Carrie, Wesley, Samantha, Nathanael, and Aleisha; three sisters, Faye (Dale) Miller, Neoma (Keith) Gibson, and Leona (Max) Downs and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a grandson, Doug Garner, and his siblings, Ethel Cecil, Nelson Palmer, Charles Palmer, James Palmer, Vesta Harden, Preston Palmer, and Betty Boner.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, October 22, 2020, at Franklin Church of the Nazarene, 140 W. Branigin Rd. Franklin, Indiana, 46131, with Dr. Ron Blake officiating. Burial will follow at Franklin Greenlawn Cemetery.
Friends may call from 4 – 8 pm Wednesday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be offered to the Franklin Church of the Nazarene Donate Online. You may send the family a personal condolence at www.sprolesfamilycares.com.
The Sproles family and staff are honored to serve the family of Rev. Norman Palmer