Gene Palmer, 82, of Perrysburg, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2025, at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Perrysburg. Born to Burton and Grayce Palmer on October 16, 1943, Gene grew up on a 50-acre farm in Licking County. Gene remarked “I believe growing up on a small farm had more influence on me than any other event.” After moving to Toledo, he graduated from Rogers High School in 1961. He attended Miami University joining the Theta Chi fraternity and earned a bachelor of arts degree (physics) in 1965. That same year he married his high school sweetheart, Diane Williams, creating a “Miami Merger.”

Gene worked 32 years for IBM as a systems engineer and later spent 13 years in registration and records at Bowling Green State University. A dedicated volunteer, he served with the IBM Club, YMCA, Perrysburg Jaycees, Martin Luther King Elementary, and for more than 40 years with both Perrysburg First Church and the Boy Scouts. He also volunteered more than 20 years with Tax-Aide assisting seniors.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Diane of 49 years; his parents, and his brother, Roger. Gene is survived by his wife of eight years, Roberta Palmer; aunt, Kathrine Gayle (Joe) Snider; brothers, Bruce (Stella) Palmer, Dudley (Katie Brooks) Palmer and Rex (Cindy) Palmer; children, Craig (Kim) Palmer, Kevin (Teather) Palmer, Gwen (David) Vrh, Holly (Chris) Schubert, Edward Amstutz; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Matt) Bernsdorf, Evan Palmer, Tyler Vrh, Tristan Vrh, Lauren Palmer, Brock Schubert, Camden Schubert, and great-grandson, William Bernsdorf.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 11 a.m., at Perrysburg First Church, 200 West Second Street, Perrysburg.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for contributions to Perrysburg First Church.