Shirley Mae Palmatier, 88, of Union City, Michigan, passed away on Monday, July 27, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her loving family, under hospice care.
Following cremation, a private memorial service will be held and she will be interred with her late husband, Joseph Palmatier, at Riverside Cemetery in Union City.
The family is being served by Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation Service in Union City.
Shirley was born December 31, 1937 in Coldwater, Michigan to Harry and Jessie (Hill) Claar. She graduated from Union City High School in 1955.
She married Joseph A. Palmatier May 19, 1957. He preceded her in death in 2016. The couple made their home in Union City and raised their family there.
Shirley worked at Eaton in Coldwater and Duo Coach in Union City for a few years after high school and became the office manager for the Village of Union City in 1966. She held the position at the village until 1992.
Through the years Shirley attended the Girard United Methodist Church. She was involved with the Union City Athletic Boosters and the Band Boosters. She was also a member of the Green Thumb Garden Club in Union City.
Shirley is survived by her children, Tamra (Jim) Fox of Union City, Michelle (Dano Smith) Olmsted of Troy, Renee (Tom) Bornemann of West Chester, OH, and Eric (Kelly) Palmatier of Alpharetta, GA; her son-in-law Mark Olmsted of Royal Oak; her grandchildren, Cameron (Dagne) Fox of Portage, Jordan (Nicole) Fox of Schoolcraft, Ian Palmatier of Atlanta, GA, Alli (Adam) Sufcak of Atlanta, GA, and Quinn Bornemann of West Chester, OH; her great-grandchildren, Payton Hundley, Cooper Fox, Carson Fox, Reagan Fox, and Jayce Fox; her niece, Cathy Smeltzer of Ypsilanti, MI; her nephews, Jeff Clifton, Jim Clifton, and John Clifton, all of TN; and her special friends, Sandra MacDonald of Union City, Sara Brewer of Union City, Carol Adams of Burlington, and Kevin Collins of Litchfield.
In addition to her husband, Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Larry Claar, in 1968; and her nephew Jerry Clifton.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Oaklawn Hospice, 13444 Preston Drive, Marshall, MI 49068. Please write “Shirley Palmatier” on the memo line of your check. You can also donate online at https://oaklawnhospital.org/locations/oaklawn-hospice/.
Please visit www.lightousefuneral.com to share memories, pictures, and videos with the family.
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