Edward L. Fleming, 85 and longtime resident of Palmer, IL, passed away on November 15, 2023, at Carriage Crossing Senior Living in Rochester, IL. He was born on October 26, 1938, the son of the late William Edward Fleming and Freda Lorraine (Rich). On January 31, 1960, he married the love of his life, Nellie Marie Dowdy, from Palmer, IL, and she survives currently living at Carriage Crossing Senior Living in Rochester, IL.

Edward served his country in the United States Marine Corps. After serving in the military, he worked as a coal miner at Peabody #10 for thirty-seven years before retiring. Edward was a jokester and storyteller and will be forever remembered for his larger-than-life personality.  He also had a gentle nature towards animals and would light up when he would see a dog, cat, goat, etc and would give that infectious laugh. In his free time, Edward loved to pitch horseshoes and became a member of the National Horseshoe Pitching Association.  Ed and Nellie ran the Palmer Pitching Palace (PPP) for over 20 years and was a friend to all who attended. Ed was one of the few to throw a “perfect game” and his name is engraved on the Perfect Game Board that now resides in the Crabtree Ringers Schoolhouse where pitching horseshoes continued after closing down the PPP.

He is survived by his wife: Nellie Fleming of Rochester, IL; daughters: Cindy Shanks of Pana, IL; Lori Norris of Taylorville, IL; Suzi (Tim) Nesvold of Watertown, MN; son: Tony (Diana) Fleming of Arvada, CO; grandchildren: Andrew (Stacey) Shanks; Nathan (Tori) Shanks; Derek Norris; Nicole (Jeff) Schuelke; Aaron (Lindsay) Norris; Seth (Amanda) Barnes; Kori Fleming; Hailey Fleming; great-grandchildren: Deacon, Calum, Judson, and Slade Shanks; Hudson; Aeden Schuelke; and Elliott and Luke Norris.

Edward was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2023, from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Sutton Memorial Home in Taylorville, IL. A funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Chad Foster officiating. Interment will follow at Anderson Cemetery in Palmer, IL.

Memorials in his honor may be made to the Wounded Warriors Foundation or the “Junior Fund” for the Illinois State Horseshoe Pitchers Association (ILSHPA.org) and sent directly to Deanna Marvin, Director of the Junior Fund.  Or donations can be dropped off the day of the service to either organization and the family will donate accordingly.

Sutton Memorial Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at suttonmemorialhome.com.