John H. Turner

RICHMOND, Ind. – John H. Turner, age 83, of Richmond, Indiana, died Wednesday, December 6, 2017, at Friends Fellowship Community. He was born to Ruth Wolke Turner and Leroy Turner at their farm on Salisbury Road in Wayne County on April 26, 1934. As a boy, John helped on the farm and was active in 4-H. He and his sisters exhibited at the Wayne County 4-H Fair and the Indiana State 4-H Fair, all of them receiving honors and trophies over the years. In 1944, John received the state trophy as a 4-H Champion Showman with his Holstein-Fresian cow. He attended St. Mary School, Riley Junior High School, and Richmond High School, graduating in 1952. While a student at Purdue University, John majored in Agriculture Economics and was a member of Delta Upsilon fraternity, activities director of the Purdue Student Union, and a member of Skull and Crescent, Gimlet, and Iron Key honoraries. After graduating from Purdue in 1956, he served in the U.S. Army at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. John was married to Elva “Jody” Turner on June 16, 1957. In 1958, he returned to Richmond where he continued to farm and also began teaching at Webster School in 1959, teaching there until Webster consolidated with Williamsburg where he taught until 1967. John received his master’s degree in education at Ball State University in 1967. He then taught at Centerville Junior High School until he retired in 1991. John was active in the Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation Service, where he served as a director for several years. John was a strong advocate of soil conservation and preservation of the environment. He was a member of Central United Methodist Church and volunteered at the Richmond Rose Garden and the Friends of Morrisson-Reeves Library. John was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Myron “Mike” Turner; sisters, Virginia Clevenger and Barbara Wannemacher; and sister-in-law, Jessie Turner. Surviving are his wife, “Jody” Turner of Richmond; daughter, Wendy (Ron) Haynes of Jacksonville, Florida; son, Michael Turner of Newport Beach, California; grandson, Ben Adam Haynes of Orlando, Florida; granddaughter, Emily Ann Haynes of Jacksonville, Florida; brothers-in-law, Dick Clevenger of Richmond and John (Sally) Wannemacher of Troy, Ohio; nieces; and nephews. Friends may call from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday, December 11, 2017, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 12, 2017, at Central United Methodist Church, 1425 East Main Street, Richmond with Pastor Tom Ream officiating. Burial will follow in Earlham Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Central United Methodist Church, 1425 East Main Street, Richmond, IN 47374; Richmond Rose Garden, 33 S. 7th Street, Richmond, IN 47374; or Friends of Morrisson-Reeves Library, 80 N. 6th Street, Richmond, IN 47374. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

John H. Turner

April 26, 1934 - December 6, 2017