Marvin L. Palmer, 91 of New Boston, died Thursday, June 11, 2026, at OSF, St. Mary’s Medical Center, Galesburg. A private family funeral will be held. There will be no visitation service. Burial will be in Buffalo Prairie Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the NRA, Ducks Unlimited, or to the charity of your choice. Speer Funeral Home, Aledo, is assisting the family.
Born in Aledo, Illinois ,on April 11, 1935, to Clarence Leroy and Flora (Barron) Palmer, Marvin was the oldest of four children. He was a graduate of Joy High School. Marvin and Delores Goode were married on June 21, 1959, at the Zion Lutheran Church, Taylor Ridge.
Marvin split his time between farming and working as a meat cutter for various supermarkets. He had an appreciation for nature and all animals. He loved the outdoors, especially when he was hunting and fishing.
Marvin played both the piano and harmonica by ear. He especially enjoyed playing with his grandson and with his friends in the Front Porch Pickers. His other interests included antique cars, tractors, and Harley Davidson motorcycles.
Marvin loved to laugh and joke around with people. He was a proud grandpa who loved taking the kids fishing, going for rides on the four-wheeler, and showing them how to shoot a gun. He also made the craziest, silliest faces just to get a baby to smile.
Those left to cherish Marvins’ memory are his wife of 66 years, Delores; children and their spouses, Randy and Annie Palmer, Steve and Jodi Palmer, and Sheri and Curt Zeck; eight grandchildren, Jake Palmer, Jessica and Matt Gomez, Zac and Cassie Palmer, Cassi Quinn, Amber and Dusty McKeag, Emily Zeck and fiancé, Brett, Taylor and Alec Thornburg, and Madison Zeck and fiancé, Will; and nine great-grandchildren. Marvin was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Marlene Johnson, Ron Palmer, and Carol Cunningham.