Russell Lee Turner

CENTERVILLE, Ind. – Russell Lee Turner, age 74, of Centerville, Indiana, died peacefully in his sleep Sunday, December 31, 2017, at his home. Russ was born January 25, 1943, in Perrysville, Indiana, to Dana and Audrey Boswell Turner. The son of a farmhand, he grew up on dairy farms across central Indiana. Russ woke at 5:00 a.m. every morning to milk, and continued to be an early riser including the last 45 years as an insurance agent for RMD-Patti Insurance in Richmond. He was a 1961 graduate of Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis and then served in the U.S. Army Reserve. Russ began his insurance career in the mailroom for Indiana Insurance Company in Indianapolis, where he met his future wife, Virginia “Ginny” Bell Turner. At Indiana, he worked his way into the claims department and was transferred to Richmond in 1967. Russ loved his life as an insurance agent and many of his clients became lifelong friends. For 24 years he was active in the Wayne County Soil & Water Conservation Service, was also active in the Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana, and was a past member of the Center Township Advisory Board. For many years Russ also coached in the Centerville Youth League (CYL) and helped form the Centerville High School Athletic Boosters. He was a member of the Centerville Christian Church. Besides his family and friends, Russ’s pride and joy was his barn. What a beauty! The barn has a basketball court, exercise room (seldom used), and party room (frequently used). Most weekends the front doors of the barn were open. That’s where you’d find Russ. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Virginia Mary Bell Turner; son, Kyle (Mynde) Turner of Centerville; daughter, Kelly (Paul) Witte of Centerville; grandchildren, Nolan and Evan Witte; siblings, Margaret (Danny) Ballard of Clayton, Indiana, Thelma Roth of Lebanon, Indiana, Charles Turner of Austin, Texas, Helen Thomas of Danville, Indiana, and Bonnie (Mike) O’Neill of Indianapolis, Indiana; nieces; and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother and sister-in-law, Dean and Carolyn Turner of Avon; brothers-in-law, George Roth of Lebanon and Paul Thomas of Danville; and sister-in-law, Barbara Turner of Austin, Texas. Visitation for Russell Lee Turner will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, January 5, 2018, at Centerville Christian Church, 111 North Morton Avenue, Centerville. Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 6, 2018, at Centerville Christian Church with Pastor Wes Sewell officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Mills Funeral Home, 405 East Main Street, Centerville. Memorial contributions may be made to: Centerville Abington Dollars for Scholars, General Fund, 507 Willow Grove Road, Centerville, IN 47330 or the Centerville Bulldog Athletic Boosters, P.O. Box 392, Centerville, IN 47330. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Russell Lee Turner

January 25, 1943 - December 31, 2017