Sheryl Palmer has been an ordained pastor in The United Methodist Church for over 30
years. She has served in several different UM Conferences across the country, but her
membership is in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference where she “retired” from in 2024.
Sheryl grew up in Northern Virginia and Pennsylvania and is a graduate of Penn State
University. She did not grow up in the church but was introduced to the love of God
through Jesus and heard her call to ministry through camping, which has always been
an important part of her ministry along with working with children, youth, and young
adults. And she loves working with adults as well.
She received her Master of Divinity from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio
and a Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Leadership from Garrett-Evangelical
Seminary in Evanston, IL.
Before a recent gap year in Colorado, she served as the lead pastor in two large
churches in Illinois, one in Edwardsville and the other in Champaign. She is very excited
to return to pastoral ministry since she has a heart for service, bridge-building, and
helping people of all ages grow in their faith so that together they can help make the
world a better place for all people.
Sheryl is married to Mike Heaton, and they have been married for over twenty-six years.
Mike recently retired as a mechanic and has strong roots in Alabama, including two
children and four grandchildren. Mike’s oldest and his wife live in Punta Gorda, Florida
with their three children, which is a main reason they opted to move to Alabama with
Luverne and Troy pretty much right in between. Sheryl’s son lives in Colorado, but they
hope someday he will head this way as well. They love the outdoors, sports, staying
active, travel, and trying new things.
Sheryl’s favorite part of ministry is meeting with people one on one, in small groups, and
generally building strong relationships with those she is blessed to work and serve with
and looks forward to meeting and serving alongside all the great folks at Luverne UMC
and those in this friendliest of communities.