Obituary for Homer William Terwilliger
Homer W. Terwilliger, 93, passed away on Thursday, June 29, 2023 at Haven Hospice Roberts Care Center and his wife, Nelma Jean Terwilliger, 89, followed him on Saturday, July 1, 2023 at Vintage Care Senior Living. Their love story began while Homer was stationed in Fort Sill Oklahoma during the Korean War. They were married on April 5, 1952 and moved to Palatka after 1954.
Homer was born in Poland, New York. He served honorably with the US Army and had worked 32 years as an engineer at Hudson Pulp & Paper Company (Georgia Pacific). He was a member of Pineland Lodge #86 F&AM. Homer enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and using his mechanical skills to repair almost anything.
Jean was born in Comanche, Oklahoma. She was a member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness in Palatka and had worked as an educator with the Putnam County School District and had also worked at NEFEC. Jean was an avid reader and enjoyed cooking, canning, gardening, and spending time with family.
They were preceded in death by their son, Ricky Terwilliger.
Homer was preceded in death by parents, William T. Terwilliger and Mary Lawson Terwilliger and brother-in-law, Silas J. “SJ” Brown.
Jean was preceded by her parents, Jessie Martin and Gladys Baker Martin, as well as 6 siblings.
After 71 years of marriage, they are survived by their daughters, Vicky J. Smith (Tito) of Palatka and Paula Drumm (John) of Vero Beach, grandchildren, Lara Zwilling (Danny), Travis Smith (Monica) and Taylor Gordon, and great-grandchildren, Drew and Mason Zwilling.
Also surviving are Homer’s sister, Noreen Brown and Jean’s sisters, Ruby Ledford and Kay Morrison, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A service celebrating the lives of Homer and Jean will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at Johnson-Overturf Chapel in Palatka with Karl Kratt officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday beginning at 1:30 pm until time of services.
Homer and Jean will be laid to rest in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Homer and Jean’s Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com .
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.
Homer was born in Poland, New York. He served honorably with the US Army and had worked 32 years as an engineer at Hudson Pulp & Paper Company (Georgia Pacific). He was a member of Pineland Lodge #86 F&AM. Homer enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and using his mechanical skills to repair almost anything.
Jean was born in Comanche, Oklahoma. She was a member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness in Palatka and had worked as an educator with the Putnam County School District and had also worked at NEFEC. Jean was an avid reader and enjoyed cooking, canning, gardening, and spending time with family.
They were preceded in death by their son, Ricky Terwilliger.
Homer was preceded in death by parents, William T. Terwilliger and Mary Lawson Terwilliger and brother-in-law, Silas J. “SJ” Brown.
Jean was preceded by her parents, Jessie Martin and Gladys Baker Martin, as well as 6 siblings.
After 71 years of marriage, they are survived by their daughters, Vicky J. Smith (Tito) of Palatka and Paula Drumm (John) of Vero Beach, grandchildren, Lara Zwilling (Danny), Travis Smith (Monica) and Taylor Gordon, and great-grandchildren, Drew and Mason Zwilling.
Also surviving are Homer’s sister, Noreen Brown and Jean’s sisters, Ruby Ledford and Kay Morrison, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A service celebrating the lives of Homer and Jean will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at Johnson-Overturf Chapel in Palatka with Karl Kratt officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday beginning at 1:30 pm until time of services.
Homer and Jean will be laid to rest in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Homer and Jean’s Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com .
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.