Van Palmer Kenneth Van Palmer, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, died June 13, at his daughter’s home in Mesa. A public visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 19, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 830 E. Lehi Road in Mesa. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, attendance at the funeral will be by invitation only. To view the funeral service online please view this link at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 20: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC__Zal6MRW7lqsPHGR_bQfA/live. Interment will be at the Mesa City Cemetery. Van was born Jan. 5, 1931, in Taylor. He was the 10th of 11 children born to Arthur Palmer and Evaline Augusta Gibbons. He married his lifelong love, Susie Joy Button, in the St. George temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Aug. 21, 1953. Van attended Northern Arizona University where he was the first ever campus policeman and received bachelor’s, Master’s, and educational administrative degrees. As a young man he served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Northern States Mission. After retiring he and Joy served a mission together at the San Marcos University Institute of Religion. He is survived by his wife, Joy; and his children, David (Peggy) Palmer, Susan Jenkins, Tammie (Duane) Burt, Melodie (John, deceased) Burbank and Randy Kent (Barbara) Palmer. He also had many grandchildren with a total posterity of over 100. He showed his love for Heavenly Father and his fellowmen by a life of service to his church and community. His love of youth was reflected in many years as a teacher, principal, coach and referee. Owens Livingston Mortuary of Holbrook handled the arrangements.
