Juanita J. (Zumbrun) Palermo, 93, of Fort Wayne, died Friday January 23, 2026 peacefully in her home. She was born on September 13, 1932 in Whitley County to the late Archie and Wilma Zumbrun.

A graduate of Columbia City High School and the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing, she was very proud of her nursing career, serving at St. Joseph Hospital and retiring from Parkview Hospital in 1994. She volunteered at the Red Cross and was on the Board of Directors at Byron Health Center. Juanita enjoyed traveling, including cruises, visiting her siblings and riding shotgun on road trips along country roads to anywhere. She also treasured time with her children and her constant companion, her cat, Tom. Juanita married Nicholas Palermo of Ft Wayne in 1958 and together they had 6 children: Daniel (deceased) (Vickie) Palermo, Gina (Craig) Osborn, Alex Palermo, Jeff Palermo, Diane (Brian) Palermo-Blake, Judith Sceats and 15 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. She was one of 8 children with her sister Nancy (Charles) Sharfenberg of Norwalk, OH. She was preceded in death by her husband, Nicholas Palermo, her son, Daniel (Vickie) Palermo and siblings Eldon (Jeanette) Zumbrun, Donald (Gerry), Hugh (BobbyAnn), Lowell (Gloria) Zumbrun, Mardelle (David) Mannix and Deane Stout.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00am Saturday, January 31, 2026 at St Jude Catholic Church, 2155 Randallia Dr. with visitation from 10-11am in the church. Visitation is also on Friday from 4-8pm at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave, with the Rosary at 3:30 pm. Entombment in Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family's preferred memorial is St. Jude Catholic Church, online at www.stjudefw.org or by mail to 2130 Pemberton Dr. Fort Wayne  IN 46805. To share a remembrance of Juanita or to offer condolences to her family, please visit www.divinemercyfuneralhome.com .

Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord,

and let Perpetual Light shine upon her.

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