Gwendolyn Sue Palmer

Gwendolyn Sue Palmer, age 78, of Astoria, Illinois passed away on January 6, 2026, in Summum, Illinois surrounded by family and friends. She was born on July 26, 1947 in Beardstown, Illinois to Bobby Lee Lael and Beulah (Sullins) Lael. Sue married Allen Ray Palmer on April 20, 1965 in Beardstown, Illinois.

After graduating from Beardstown High School in 1965, Sue began working for her Aunt Gwennie Boyd in Beardstown, Illinois at Boyd Nursing Home and the Campus Inn. Shortly following, she spent 11 years working for her brother-in-law, Cliff Parry, at Cliff’s Auto Parts in Astoria, Illinois. Sue also worked at Norris Farms in the tomato field in Lewistown, Illinois as well as Green Bay Foods at the Pickle Plant in Havana, Illinois. In her later years, she was employed at Hardee’s in Havana, Illinois where she served 15 years.

Sue enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, crocheting, playing with her grandkids and great-grandkids, basketball with her fur baby, Patches, and playing cards. Specifically, spider solitaire. In the summer of 2012 and the winter of 2024, Sue got to visit England and Scotland, something she never dreamed of doing, but had the time of her life.

She is survived by her children and grandchildren; Allen “Ray” Palmer, Jr.; Stacey (Von) Geisendorfer, parents of Audrie Weir and Vance (Abigail) Geisendorfer; Matthew “Matt” Palmer, father of Madison Palmer, Brianna Gleason and Danielle Thacker, Angela Smith, mother of Jessica (Courtney) Jackson and Kourtnie Smith; Leslie Palmer, father to Dylan (Tiffany) Kinkead and Nina Palmer; and her nineteen great-grandchildren; Kallen, Betty, Oaklei, Isabelle, Oliver, Michael, Caleb, Harper, Bentley, Zoie, Ambriel, Brynleigh, Kaiden, Knightly, Alaina, Adalynn, Kaleb, Emmaline and Isabella. Two brother, Thomas “Tom” (Debbie) Lael of Bartlesville, Oklahoma and Keith (Carl) Lael of Springfield, Illinois, as well as town very special ladies to the family, Angie Moore and Win Palmer along with several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers, Charles “Chuck” (surviving wife, Sally) Lael, Mike (Kathy) Lael and daughter-in-law, Vivian “Viv” Palmer.

Services will be held at 11 am on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria, Illinois. Dick Meehan will be officiating. A visitation will take place one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Interment will be in the Astoria Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Sue Palmer Memorial Fund.