Fred Palin, Jr.

Fred Palin, age 91, of Cuba, Illinois died on January 13 at Graham Hospital in Canton. Mr. Palin was born on February 6, 1933, in the then-family home on Main Street in Cuba. He was the second son and third child of Frederick T. Palin and Laura Tenant Palin.

After graduating from Cuba schools, Mr. Palin attended Northwestern University and Central State College (Edmond, Oklahoma). Following service in the US Army he attended Michigan State University.

On August 14, 1953, Fred married Ruth Ann McDonald of Edmond, Oklahoma. Fred and Ruth had two children, Philip Jon (born 1955) and Jana Lea (born 1964). They were very involved in the lives of three grandchildren, Laura, Alexander, and Carson. Mrs. Palin died in 2011. In addition to his children, survivors include Jeannie Palin, wife of Phil, nieces Amy Sabol and Mary Nelmes, and Jan Nelmes the surviving wife of Fred’s nephew James Joseph Nelmes.

In the mid-1950s, Mr. Palin worked with his father, also Fred, to reorganize the Day & Palin grocery stores in Fulton and Mason counties. After purchasing the business from his father, Mr. Palin operated grocery stores in Cuba, Lewistown, Havana, and Farmington, Illinois for over 40 years.

After selling the grocery stores, Mr. Palin created a general merchandise and eBay store that continues to operate. Retailing was his passion and his way of making a creative contribution to the community.

Over the years Fred Palin was actively involved in the Independent Grocers Association (IGA), Cuba Christian Church, and the Fulton County Community Concert Association. He loved Big Band and classical music.

Mr. Palin’s body has been donated to the Mayo Clinic for medical research and education. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled in the Spring.