Thomas Michael Palmer

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Thomas Michael Palmer, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, who passed away on August 30, 2026, at the age of 84. Born on June 30, 1942, Tom lived in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, he grew up in Beardstown, Illinois. He was the son of Bobby Lee Palmer and Beulah Rae (Sullins) Lael. Tom He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, children, and grandchildren: Allen "Ray" Palmer, Jr.; Stacey (Von) Geisendorfer, parents of Audrie Weir and Vance (Abigail) Geisendorfer; Matthew "Matt" Palmer, father of Madison Palmer, Brianna Gleason, and Danielle Thacker; Angela Smith, mother of Jessica (Courtney) Jackson and Kourtnie Smith; and Leslie Palmer, father to Dylan (Tiffany) Kinkead and Nina Palmer. His heart overflowed with pride for his nineteen great-grandchildren: Kallen, Betty, Oaklei, Isabelle, Oliver, Michael, Caleb, Harper, Bentley, Zoie, Ambriel, Brynleigh, Kaiden, Knightly, Alaina, Adalynn, Kaleb, Emmaline, and Isabella. Tom is also remembered fondly by his stepbrothers, Thomas Lael and Keith (Carl) Lael, as well as two very special ladies to the family, Angie Moore and Win Palmer along with several nieces and nephews. Tom graduated from Beardstown High School in 1960 and went on to earn an Associate of Arts degree in Pre-Engineering from Lincoln Land Community College in 1977. Tom worked at Boyd Nursing Home in his youth and later contributed to the State of Illinois, Illinois Commerce Commission, and served as manager of the Beardstown Elks Club. He continued his career with the State of Connecticut, Department of Public Utility Control; the California Office of State Fire Marshal; and the Transportation Safety Institute, U.S. Department of Transportation in Oklahoma City, Tosco, and ConocoPhillips Pipeline Company in Ponca City, Oklahoma. Tom was an avid fan of NASCAR and the WNBA, and he enjoyed traveling from Bartlesville to Beardstown to visit family and friends. He loved making beef jerky and Chex Mix every Christmas and sharing them with his family. He was a connoisseur of Jack Daniel’s. His grandchildren were his "pride and joy," and he loved to teach them things. A funeral service to honor and celebrate Tom's life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Black Oak Church in rural Beardstown. Friends and family are invited to pay their respects during a visitation from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2026, at Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in Beardstown. Following the service, the burial will be at Beardstown City Cemetery. In honor of Tom his family kindly suggests that memorials be made to Black Oak Church and the Beardstown Elks Club.