Palmer C. Stiles

Palmer Conley Stiles was born Jan. 18, 1940 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. He had an interest in engineering and religion from the time he was a young boy. He would imitate the preacher at home by standing on the large rocks . He would shout , “tell it to the nations, tell it to the nations”! He drew his fascination with mechanics from his father, who had his own engineering business.

Palmer graduated from North High School in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and studied mechanical engineering at M.I.T for a year. He earned his bachelor’s and masters degree in engineering at the University of Wisconsin. During college, he spent a year interning in Mexico. This is where he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior.

An adventurer at heart, Palmer began and completed a bicycle tour around Europe before settling into business with his father. Upon his father’s untimely death,Palmer closed the business. He enlisted in the United States Air Force and after 12 years, completed his service as a Captain. He spent part of his service working as a rocket engineer in the silos. He was an engineer for the Titian Rocket Project. He wrote some protocols for the project. After the military,he accepted a professorship at Florida Institute of Technology. He retired after 23 yrs of teaching. During which time,he actively served as chairman for the F.I.T Protestant Campus Ministries.

Eventually, he was ordained as a minister himself in 2010. He was a proud founding member of the pillow haters men’s prayer group. They met every Friday morning at 5:30 am, hence the name . The friendships lasted for over 47 yrs. He served Christ as a faithful steward of his Word and servant by his prayer, time and money until his last breath.

Palmer married Joan Chelmo in 1965. He faithfully cared for her until her death in 2003. They had two sons named Jonathan and Colin. Palmer was not satisfied as a widower. He married Rose Scales at the age of 65. They honeymooned in Israel and experienced the Holy Land together. Palmer and Rose traveled the Continental United States together until their health would not allow. They were married for 21 yrs. The happy couple were often called “two peas in a pod” by friends. He will be remembered as a Christ warrior,joke teller and connoisseur of delicious food.

His main hobby included building and studying flying cars. He became a world expert and even published a book on flying car patents. He toured the U.S. giving lectures on the subject including The National Air Show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.for over 25 yrs. Palmer’s Christmas letters were famous to friends and family. He sent out 50yrs of letters until his death.

His favorite titles were grandpa and peepaw to his three grand daughters . He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He passed into eternity at the age of 86.

He was preceded in death by his parents Marion Richard and Elsa Stiles and three brother in laws.

He is survived by his wife Rose Stiles,sons Jonathan(Laynie) Stiles and Colin Stiles. Three grand daughters Savanah, Lily and Charlette Stiles. Two sisters Marzenda McComb and Oralee Hamilton and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be June 5, 2026 at 11am. Service will follow at 12 noon at Ammen Family Cremation and Funeral Care in Melbourne Florida. Expressions of sympathy can be donated to the Florida Institute of Technology Protestant Campus Ministries.