Thomas John Palmer

Thomas Palmer, 70, of Springfield, IL passed away at 1:31 p.m. on Thursday, September 29, 2011 at St. John's Hospital in Springfield, IL. Thomas was born March 19, 1941 in Los Angeles, CA; he was the adopted son of Richard and Barbara Firehock Palmer. He married C. Elaine Bean on February 8, 1980 in Springfield, IL. Thomas graduated from DePaul University in Chicago, IL with a major in English. He worked for AT&T in Chicago, IL for 26 years, Seimens Corporation in Boca Raton, FL for 10 years, and Level III Communication in Miami, FL for 3 years. He was a member of the Elks Club and enjoyed fishing, golfing, traveling and doing home repairs. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, William Poland. He is survived by his wife, C. Elaine Palmer of Springfield, IL; son, Richard Bean, Jr. of Springfield, IL; three daughters, Suzanne (husband, Mike) Rizzo of Wauconda, IL, Lori (husband, Ryan) Rigby of Naperville, IL and Carolyn (husband, Alex) Hawkes of Belvidere, IL; three grandchildren, Richard Bean, III, Michael and Marissa Rizzo; two sisters, Carol Veder and Gloria Biederman, both of Tucson, AZ; one niece, Traci Poland; one nephew, Andy Poland; and lifetime friends, Michael Tirengel, Joanne Rosdil, Donna and Jim McGuiness, Dr. Craig Stemmer, Duncan and Christine Ferguson, and Karen and Tom Blair. Cremation was accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center. Memorial contributions may be made to: American Diabetes Association, 2580 Federal Dr., Suite 403, Decatur, IL 62526.