Obituary of Allen D. Palmer

HOWARD: Allen D. Palmer, 90, of Smith Pond Rd. passed away Thursday, February 9, 2023, at St. James Hospital in Hornell following a brief illness. Allen was born May 27, 1932 in Bath to the late Lloyd and Inez (Bossard) Palmer and grew up on the Palmer farm on a hill west of Howard at a time when you could still hook up a team of horses. From this place, with farming at the core, he raised his own family, fertilized his crops, nurtured his animals and grew the acreage. His last farm home on a hill east of Howard is where his dog Sam is waiting for him to come home. If you met Allen on the road and did not recognize the truck or tractor he was driving, the silhouette of the driver would reveal his identity because of how he wore his hat with the consistent signature tilt. Allen enjoyed auctions and going out to eat, not only for the bidding and the food, but to be with people, old friends and new. Talking with Allen you knew he always spoke his mind. Memories of conversations were colored with memories of his blue eyes. In his own way he could liven a pig roast or a family Christmas. In his life there were seasons for planting and seasons for harvest…seasons for card playing and seasons for snowmobiling. On his 90th birthday in 2022 Allen finished planting 70 acres of corn and before fall he enjoyed the search and purchase of a combine for harvest. Allen is resting now. The seed corn hat is hung on a peg and the John Deere is in the shed. Planting season is nearing. Passing through Howard’s beauty this summer you will enjoy seeing crops flourish on land representing a lifetime of tilling. He has passed on his life as a farmer. The cycle will continue. Allen is survived by four sons: Ricky (Peg) Palmer, Robert (Nadeen) Palmer, Gary (Karen) Palmer and Randy (Delcie) Palmer all of Howard, two sisters Betty (Thomas) Beach of Fremont and Barbara (Philip) Schaffer of NC, and companion and friend Diane Kent, 14 grandchildren and several great grandchildren. Predeceased Family: Alvin, Lorena, Eleanor and Luella. A celebration of life for Allen will be held Saturday, February 18th at 11:00 am at the Howard Fire Dept. Main St. Howard. Memorial donations in Allen's name may be made to the Howard Fire Department, 3622 County Rte. 70A, Avoca, NY 14809 and Howard Union Church, Avoca, Rte. 70A, NY 14809. Arrangements are with the H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home in Canisteo.