John Louis Palmer Sr.

 John L. Palmer Sr., 86, of Linn Township passed away unexpectedly at Golden Years in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin on June 16, 2021.

Born John Louis Palmer to the late Louis and Marcia Palmer on July 29th, 1934, in Chicago Illinois.  John was a member of the graduating class of 1953 from Walworth High School.  After high school enlisted in the United State Army where he served until he was honorably discharged on October 19th, 1955.  John went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Mitton College in 1981.  On March 1, 1969, at St. Benedicts Church in Fontana, Wisconsin John was united into marriage to Carol Ann Brinckmann.

John was Chief of Police of Linn Township for 34 years.  John was instrumental in starting the Geneva Lakes Law Enforcement on Geneva Lake and was a Water Safety Patrol board member.  After John retired from Law Enforcement, he went on to be a Walworth County Coroner for 12 years.  John was a founding charter member of the Big Foot Lions Club, a field secretary for Geneva Lake Association for 18years, a Wisconsin Relator, and was also the founder of the boater safety program on Geneva Lake.  

John is survived by his wife of more than 52 years, Carol.  3 children: John L. (Laura) Palmer II of Linn Township; Marcia (Daniel) Hammett of Linn Township; and B.J. (Lynn) Palmer of Crystal Lake survive John.  6 grandchildren; Gage Palmer, Esme Palmer, Daniel J. (Christina) Hammett, Maureen (Johnny) Rebhorn, Maddie Palmer and Hannah Palmer all survive John.  John was proceeded in death by his parents, his brother Paul Palmer and his sister Portia Wendt.

Private family service for John will be held sometime in the future.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy the family has asked that you donate in John’s name to St. Benedicts Catholic Church.  Donation information is printed below.

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Derrick Funeral Home of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin is honored to be assisting the family of John Palmer. 

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