John Russel Palmer Jr.

PALMER, JOHN RUSSEL JR., 98, Coalport, passed away April 23, 2025, at James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center, Altoona. Born July 12, 1926, in Lyleville, the son of John R. Sr. and Emma (Freeman) Palmer.  Preceded in death by parents; loving wife, Anna (Reilly) Palmer, who died December 11, 2000; granddaughter, Jennifer Shawley; and siblings, Emma Jean Palmer, Donald Palmer, and Janet Monroe.  Survived by children, Gary Palmer, Coalport; Thomas (Ellen) Palmer, Irvona; JoAnn (Jan) Shawley, James (Kathy) Palmer, and Robert Palmer, all of Coalport; Ronald (Kim) Palmer, Altoona; Mary (Mike) Peoples, Coalport; and Janet (Dan) Grimes, Mundy’s Corner; 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.  Also survived by sister, Faye Baker (George Miller), Vinco and sister-in-law, Colleen Palmer, Southington, OH.   John entered the Navy before he finished high school, attaining the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class, and serving in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters during WWII, following the war he returned home, earned his high school diploma, and served six more years in the navy reserves.   He retired after 34 years as a manager for the Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co.   He was a member of the Coalport VFW Post 7403 and Fred Korman Lodge # 55 IOOF.  Family and friends will be received from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. Monday, April 28, 2025, at Moriconi Funeral Home, Inc., 1303 Bigler Avenue, Northern Cambria, with military honors that evening at 6:45 p.m.  A graveside service with Chaplain Carl Phillips will be held on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Basil Cemetery, Irvona.  

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