Ella Palmer

Ella M. Palmer, 87, of Kalamazoo, died November 22, 2019. Ella was born December 28, 1931 in Kalamazoo to Charles and Jenny (Hoogakker) Wortinger. She graduated from Galesburg High School in 1951 and married Allen L. Palmer later that year, on November 1. She worked at J.C. Penny for 25 years before her retirement in 1990. Ella was a member of Northeastern Baptist Church and enjoyed baking, doing crossword puzzles, and spending time with her family. Ella is survived by her loving husband, Allen; their two children, Debra J. (Bruce) Esterline and Stephen A. (Gretchen Dettloff) Palmer; nine grandchildren, Nicholas (Erin) Palmer, Matthew (Stacy) Palmer, Emilie Palmer, Riley Palmer, Amanda (Scott) Keith, Andrew (Kate) Esterline, Aaron Esterline, Ryan Dettloff, and Colin Dettloff; thirteen great-grandchildren and a sister, Estelle (Ed) Franklin. Ella was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Charles Wortinger and a sister, Garnett Brant. A memorial service to celebrate Ella's life will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 30, 2019 at Northeastern Baptist Church. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, starting at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Northeastern Baptist Church or Ascension at Home Hospice. Arrangements by the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.