Jack Turner, 72

John C. (Jack) Turner, 72, of Sturgis, died Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009, at his home.

He was born April 25, 1937, in Hammond, Ind., a son of John and Leona (Young) Turner.

On June 13, 1959, he married Diana Pierce. She preceded him in death.

Jack graduated from Hammond Vocational Tech High School. He was previously employed at Central Rent a Crane in East Chicago, Ill., and moved to Sturgis in 1979. He was employed at the Local 150 Operating Engineers in Merrillville, Ind., and retired from there in 1997. While working at the Local 150, he started his own business Turner Engineering in 1980 and retired in 1999.

He was mechanically inclined and could build anything, including his own home, tractors and wreckers. Nothing was ever broke because he could fix it.

He enjoyed teaching his grandchildren everything he could. They were his life. He enjoyed fishing, riding on his tractors and most of all the grandchildren.

Surviving are two sons, Mark and Lynette Turner of Howe, Ind., and Michael Turner and Terri Akin of White Pigeon; a daughter, Michelle and Kendall McAllister; three sisters, Geraldine and Jack Smith of Highland, Ind., Carol Boyer and Jerry Newkirk of Dyer, Ind., and Judith and Richard Downs of Dyer; six grandchildren, including Zachary Turner and Matthew Turner of Howe, Jennifer Turner of Villa Rica, Ga., Nichole Day of Plainwell and Jack Day of Bloomfield, Iowa; an a great-grandchild, Ayden Day of Plainwell.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

According to his wishes, cremation will take place. A celebration of life service will be held noon-5 p.m. Dec. 12 at his home, 31211 E. Lafayette St., Sturgis.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Howe 4-H Club of LaGrange County, 2535 E 700 N, Howe, IN 46746-9697.

Online condolences may be sent to carneyfrost@earthlink.net.

Arrangements by Carney-Frost Funeral Home, LaGrange, Ind.