07/20/2026
TLC Family --- Last week Stephen Palmer went to be with the Lord. His Celebration of Life will be this coming Saturday July 25 at 3pm at Trinity Life Community. Steve was a dear brother in the Lord, he and his wife Toni faithfully served our community as Elders and leaders. His example of faithfulness goes before us and his legacy is of one who loved Jesus and others well. Please pray for Toni and their family during this time. If you are able, please join us to celebrate his life this Saturday at 3pm.
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Stephen Jo Palmer went to be with his Lord and Savior peacefully in his home on July 15, 2026 after a 3 month illness.
Born October 30, 1942, in Wolf Lake, Indiana, Steve was the oldest of 3 boys born to Marion Palmer and Maxine (DePoy) Palmer. Steve spent his childhood on Indiana farms. He often spoke of his love for farming, John Deere tractors, and all the mischief he and his brothers got into. He spoke of life on the farm and milking the cows before and after school.
Steve attended Purdue University for a year to study Agriculture; he was always a ready resource to anyone growing a garden. He joined the Air Force where he learned radar systems training. Following training, Steve was assigned duty at a Navy base in Brunswick, ME where he met the love of his life Antoinette at a dance in 1962. Stephen & Antoinette (Lauze) Palmer celebrated 61 years of marriage on July 10th, 2026.
Steve was an active member of politics serving in the House of Representatives from 2008-2014. He was also active in his church serving as an Elder. He loved traveling on mission trips which included multiple visits to Romania, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Republic of Georgia. He loved working at Miracle Acres Tree Farm after he retired and prided himself on mowing the rows between trees and greeting the guests who came to buy trees.
He is predeceased by his parents and his brother Stanley. Steve is survived by his wife Toni, his son Michael, his daughter-in-law Grace, his very loved Grandsons Connor & Ethan, his brother Alton, extended family, church family, as well as many friends. To know Steve was to not leave a stranger.
Our family would like to thank Trinity Life Community and friends for all the support over the past few months, the VA Home care team, as well as our Hospice and their support staff.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Trinity Life Community in Bedford on Saturday, July 25th at 3 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in Steve’s memory be made to Trinity Life Community Church Attn: Missions.
