Earl Wayne Palm

Earl W. Palm, 95, of Circleville passed away peacefully at the family homestead on May 29, 2024 with family and dear friends at his side. Earl was born on July 10, 1928 to Russell C. and Cecile Martin Palm. He was educated at Washington Township School and Circleville High School before attending The Ohio State University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture education. He furthered his studies with two years of post-graduate work at Ohio University focusing on commercial business and banking. Mr. Palm was an Air Force ROTC cadet at The Ohio State University and Ohio University and a member of the Arnold Air Society then served two years as a commissioned officer at Turner AFB in Albany, GA.

On October 20, 1951 he married Jeanne Renick and together they raised their six children on the family farm east of Circleville. Mr. Palm began a career in banking at the Second National Bank of Circleville in 1954 and progressed in responsibilities to be named President in 1970. His education and experience in banking and agriculture were instrumental in his career as he was eventually promoted to Director of Statewide Agricultural Lending for PNC Bank (BancOhio/National City Bank) which had acquired the local bank. Earl was ultimately named PNC Bank Regional President for southern Ohio, the position from which he retired in 1993. Mr. Palm cherished the relationships he made throughout his banking career as many people would later express their gratitude to him for securing funds to complete college, to get their first car, to receive operating funds for their commercial or farming businesses. Early in his career, he continued to operate the family dairy farm rising every day at 5 am to milk cattle and again every evening to support his growing family. Further, he and his father Russell, together with Harley Bennett of Chillicothe, OH formed a partnership and opened the Starlight Cruise-In Theatre in September 1949 on eight acres of the Palm family farm. The theatre was one of the primary sources of family entertainment and amusing anecdotes for over 37 years in the community.

Mr. Palm was a passionate supporter of the community and the civic organizations with which he was affiliated including 66 year member and past president of the Rotary Club of Circleville, 51 years service as Common Pleas Court Jury Commissioner, past president of the Pickaway County Chamber of Commerce, long-time member of the Farm Bureau, Pickaway County and Columbus Aladdin Temple Shrine in addition to serving on the ArtsaAround (founding board member), Brown Memorial and his local church boards.

The family would like to convey that the foundation underlying his role as husband and father, his work career and community service was his belief in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior summarized in Bible scripture James 2:18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.

Earl is preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Jeanne, infant daughter Diane, grandson David Rodriguez and his parents Russell and Cecile Palm. He is survived by his loving children Jeffrey Palm, Cynthia (Steve) Bower, Douglas (Cindy) Palm, Ellen (Emilio) Rodriguez, Frederick Palm and Marie (Russell) Baldinger. Earl was blessed with 20 grandchildren including Megan, Greg and Emily children of Jeffrey and Brenda Palm; Joshua, Jacob and Rachel children of Steve and Cynthia Bower; Russell and Joseph children of Douglas and Cindy Palm; Norah, Caleb, Isaac, Seth, Elyon, Ezra and David children of Emilio and Ellen Rodriguez; Morgan, child of Frederick and Coleen Palm and Grace, Daniel, Emma and Adie children of Russell and Marie Baldinger along with 29 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be Monday, June 3rd from 9 am to 12 noon at Defenbaugh Wise Schoedinger Funeral Home, 151 E. Main St., Circleville with a 2 pm memorial service at Pontius Community Church, 7218 Stoutsville Pike, Circleville. A private graveside service will follow at Forest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made online or by check to Pickaway County Community Foundation (Friends of the Pickaway Parks and Trails), 770 N. Court Street, Circleville, OH 43113.