Lynn Edward Palmer

Although he accomplished so much of which to be proud, Lynn Palmer, Mad Dog was a humble man whose family was his greatest source of pride and joy. He was devoted to the people and things he felt passionate about, and he loved sharing his passions and interests with others. Blessed to share more than 20 years with the love of his life, Lynn was thrilled to be a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather later in life. If Lynn was picking on you, you knew that you were loved, and his zest for life was contagious. Although he will be deeply missed, he will never be forgotten.

Life during the 1930s was anything but easy as the entire decade was cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression. Jobs were hard to come by and the unemployment rate soared, which left countless American families homeless. Despite the trials around them, Adam and Opal (Burwell) Palmer were filled with overwhelming joy as they announced the birth of the son they named Lynn Edward on September 8, 1938. Born in Whitley County, Indiana, he was one of five children raised on the family farm east Columbia City where they also had a gravel pit.

In many ways, Lynn was a young boy of his generation. He discovered his amazing musical talent while growing up, and these were gifts that he nurtured throughout his life. Lynn attended local schools where he played basketball as well as the tuba in the band at Coesse High School. He also excelled in his studies and graduated as the valedictorian of the graduating class of 1956. Following high school, Lynn worked as a batch man at Old Fort Concrete Redi Mix in Ft. Wayne. After 22 years there, he moved to Martins, Inc., retiring as a supervisor of demolition in 2005.

As a talented musician, Lynn enjoyed pursuing this passion throughout his life. He could play a variety of instruments, but he loved playing his upright bass in Shady Grove Steam and Grass band. He played in Blue Grass bands for over 20 years and recorded seven albums in Nashville, Tennessee. Lynn also played with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra.

New and exciting changes were in store for Lynn when he met the woman who would change the course of his life forever. Her name was Delores (Watson) Daniels, and they met on a cold, snowy day in a rather unusual way. She had gotten her car stuck in the road, which made it impossible for Lynn to get around her. He ended up going back to his house to get his snowmobile, and then he used it to pull her up the hill. He soon discovered that she lived nearby, and Lynns persistence eventually paid off as he married his sweetheart on September 8, 1995, at the pastors house in Columbia City. From that day forward, Delores kids were his kids, and the two made their new life together in the home they had previously built on Blue Lake with the help of their family members. Lynn and Delores were true soul mates who loved being together. Some of their favorite memories were made at the RV park in Florida where they loved fishing together and Lynn picking with neighbors in the park. Lynn treasured every moment he had to spend with his children and grandchildren, and his love was always clear by his fun-loving teasing.

Throughout his life Lynn was one to keep busy. He was a member of the Eagles, and he and his brother were one of the 11 founding and charter members of the Tri-State Steam and Gas Engine Association that has hosted a national show in Portland for the past 50 years. Lynn collected old antique pressure gauges to restore and then auction off along with other antiques. He liked spending time out in his workshop and spending time with his dog.

All who knew Lynn Palmer would agree that he was an extraordinary man to know and love. He was kindhearted, generous, and giving with a fun-loving spirit that made him so much fun to be around. Lynn was a hardworking man, but he also took the time to enjoy life, and nothing was better than when his loved ones were near. Dearly loved, he will be forever missed.

Lynn Edward Palmer, 77, of Churubusco, Indiana, died at 7:44 p.m., Saturday, January 23, 2016, at Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home. Lynns family includes his wife of 20 years, Delores Palmer; children, Edward (Cheryll) Palmer of Columbia City, Doreen (Steve) Hanan of New Haven and Debra Hamilton of Tucson, Arizona; daughter-in-law, Tammy Daniels of Columbia City; brothers, Neil (Marcel) Palmer and Stan (Sharron) Palmer of New Haven; and sisters, Karen Bowyer of Wisconsin and Janice (Mark) Waterfall of Columbia City; 10 grandchildren; and 21 great grandchildren. Lynn was preceded in death by his parents and sons, Joe Allen Daniels and Chuck McBride.

Visitation will be from 4 - 8 p.m. Tuesday, January 26, 2016, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with Pastor Tim Scroggs officiating. Burial will follow at South Whitley Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in his honor to either Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home or Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana.