WEST LIBERTY – Eugene McKinley Palmer, 83, of West Liberty, passed away on Monday, Nov. 7, 2016 at Green Hills Care Center, West Liberty.

He was born on March 7, 1933, in Bellefontaine, Ohio, a son of the late Elsworth and Edna (Smith) Palmer. He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Joan (Blackburn) Palmer.

On March 31, 2012, in West Liberty, he married the former Marion Turner Hemphill and she survives in West Liberty along with his children, Larry (Kris) Smith of Denver, Colo., Nancy (Michael) Patterson of Galena, Paul V. (Linda) Smith of Middleburg and Micah (Lori) Palmer of Bellefontaine; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a sister, Colleen Pulfer of DeGraff; step-children, Dorothy (Barry) Allen of Harrod, Susan (Mike) Clum of Elida, Richard (Carol) Hemphill of West Liberty and Mike (Debbie) Roberts of West Liberty; several nieces and nephews.

He was a U.S. Army and National Guard veteran having served during the Korean Conflict. He attended Huntsville Presbyterian Church and was a Professional Horse trainer. He spent most of his life in the Middleburg area and the horse training community where his training stable was located.

Pastors Ben Beres & Robin Ricks will officiate a funeral service on Friday, Nov. 11, 2016, at 11 a.m. at the EICHHOLTZ DARING & SANFORD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTER, 321 N. Main St., Bellefontaine, where friends may call on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016, from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Burial will be in Middleburg Cemetery where Military Rites will be held.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Green Hills Foundation, 6557 U.S. Route 68 South, West Liberty or Logan County Veteran Honor Guard, c/o Russell Strayer, 409 N. Madriver, Bellefontaine.