WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Raymond C. Turner, age 101, passed away Monday morning, June 1, 2009, at his home.
He was born Aug, 23, 1907, in Bristol, Ind., a son of the late Raymond and Katherine (Leatherman) Turner.
Raymond was a lifelong resident of Sturgis and graduated from Sturgis High School with the class of 1926. On Dec. 8, 1939, he married Retha Bender in South Bend, Ind. She died Aug. 12, 2004.
Following more than 15 years of dedicated employment, he retired from Ross Laboratories in Sturgis. Prior to joining Ross Laboratories he had been employed by the Sturgis Journal for 18 years. After his retirement he worked at the Sturgis Public Library for 10 years.
He attended the First Baptist Church in Sturgis and was a member of AARP and Swinging Seniors. He enjoyed watching and feeding birds and gardening.
He is survived by two daughters, Mary Ann (Allen) Wisler of Howe, Ind., and Jill (Gregory) Peck of Sturgis; one son, Allan (Virginia) Turner of Sagamore Beach, Mass.; six grandchildren, Nathan (Jodi) Wisler of Howe, Ind., Aaron (Dawn) Wisler of Shipshewana, Ind., Deann (Larry) Jennings of Traverse City, Stephanie (Marc) Giampa of New Hampshire, Jeffrey Turner of Hawaii and Benjamin Turner of Sagamore, Mass.; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and four brothers: Byron, Myron, Carl and Guy Turner.
The family will receive friends and relatives from 5-8 p.m. Thursday at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis. Funeral services celebrating the life of Raymond Turner will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the First Baptist Church in Sturgis. The Rev. James Bender will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Turner’s memory consider Hospice of Sturgis, P.O. Box 126, Sturgis, MI 49091 or the charity of one’s choice. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
His obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
