Donald Turner
CAIRO -- Donald J. Turner, 79, died Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011, in Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau.
He was born Aug. 28, 1931, to the late Joseph M. and Vada Kessler Turner. His stepfather, Clifford Young, also preceded him in death.
He graduated from Cairo High School in 1949, and was a veteran of the U.S. Army, where he earned high honors in Non Commissioned Officers School, attaining the rank of tech sergeant during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge, he returned home to Cairo to the family farm. He was hired by Illinois Central Railroad, where he was employed for 42 years before retiring as conductor and footboard yardmaster. He was active in United Transportation Union, and served as local president and on Union Illinois Legislative Board.
He was employed by Illinois State Police as a clerk and served as coroner of Alexander County. He served honorably as sheriff of Alexander County from 1970 to 1980. Donald is a lifetime member of Illinois Sheriff's Association, and served on its executive board. He was appointed to Illinois Law Enforcement Commission and Local Government Training and Standards Board. He was currently serving as chairman of Alexander County Airport Authority, as well as treasurer of North Cairo Fire Protection District. Donald was a member of St. Patrick's Church, Cairo BPOE 651 and lifetime member of VFW 2649.
Most importantly, Don is best remembered by those who knew him for his kindness, compassion, loyalty and the smiles that he brought to others. He enjoyed the company of his family and friends and was known for his ability to brighten the mood with his stories and jokes. For these qualities, he will be deeply missed and warmly remembered all who knew him.
Donald is survived by his wife, Elizabeth of Cairo; two daughters; two sons; one sister; 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and numerous friends and extended family members.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 29, in St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Cairo. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Villa Ridge with military honors offered by area veterans organizations and the U.S. Army. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28, at Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo. The Holy Rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. The law enforcement walk-through will take place at 5:30 p.m.
Barkett Funeral Home of Cairo is in charge of arrangements.
Published in The Southern Illinoisan on August 27, 2011
CAIRO -- Donald J. Turner, 79, died Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011, in Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau.
He was born Aug. 28, 1931, to the late Joseph M. and Vada Kessler Turner. His stepfather, Clifford Young, also preceded him in death.
He graduated from Cairo High School in 1949, and was a veteran of the U.S. Army, where he earned high honors in Non Commissioned Officers School, attaining the rank of tech sergeant during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge, he returned home to Cairo to the family farm. He was hired by Illinois Central Railroad, where he was employed for 42 years before retiring as conductor and footboard yardmaster. He was active in United Transportation Union, and served as local president and on Union Illinois Legislative Board.
He was employed by Illinois State Police as a clerk and served as coroner of Alexander County. He served honorably as sheriff of Alexander County from 1970 to 1980. Donald is a lifetime member of Illinois Sheriff's Association, and served on its executive board. He was appointed to Illinois Law Enforcement Commission and Local Government Training and Standards Board. He was currently serving as chairman of Alexander County Airport Authority, as well as treasurer of North Cairo Fire Protection District. Donald was a member of St. Patrick's Church, Cairo BPOE 651 and lifetime member of VFW 2649.
Most importantly, Don is best remembered by those who knew him for his kindness, compassion, loyalty and the smiles that he brought to others. He enjoyed the company of his family and friends and was known for his ability to brighten the mood with his stories and jokes. For these qualities, he will be deeply missed and warmly remembered all who knew him.
Donald is survived by his wife, Elizabeth of Cairo; two daughters; two sons; one sister; 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and numerous friends and extended family members.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 29, in St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Cairo. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Villa Ridge with military honors offered by area veterans organizations and the U.S. Army. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28, at Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo. The Holy Rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. The law enforcement walk-through will take place at 5:30 p.m.
Barkett Funeral Home of Cairo is in charge of arrangements.
Published in The Southern Illinoisan on August 27, 2011
Donald Turner
CAIRO -- Donald J. Turner, 79, died Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011, in Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau.
He was born Aug. 28, 1931, to the late Joseph M. and Vada Kessler Turner. His stepfather, Clifford Young, also preceded him in death.
He graduated from Cairo High School in 1949, and was a veteran of the U.S. Army, where he earned high honors in Non Commissioned Officers School, attaining the rank of tech sergeant during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge, he returned home to Cairo to the family farm. He was hired by Illinois Central Railroad, where he was employed for 42 years before retiring as conductor and footboard yardmaster. He was active in United Transportation Union, and served as local president and on Union Illinois Legislative Board.
He was employed by Illinois State Police as a clerk and served as coroner of Alexander County. He served honorably as sheriff of Alexander County from 1970 to 1980. Donald is a lifetime member of Illinois Sheriff's Association, and served on its executive board. He was appointed to Illinois Law Enforcement Commission and Local Government Training and Standards Board. He was currently serving as chairman of Alexander County Airport Authority, as well as treasurer of North Cairo Fire Protection District. Donald was a member of St. Patrick's Church, Cairo BPOE 651 and lifetime member of VFW 2649.
Most importantly, Don is best remembered by those who knew him for his kindness, compassion, loyalty and the smiles that he brought to others. He enjoyed the company of his family and friends and was known for his ability to brighten the mood with his stories and jokes. For these qualities, he will be deeply missed and warmly remembered all who knew him.
Donald is survived by his wife, Elizabeth of Cairo; two daughters; two sons; one sister; 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and numerous friends and extended family members.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 29, in St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Cairo. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Villa Ridge with military honors offered by area veterans organizations and the U.S. Army. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28, at Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo. The Holy Rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. The law enforcement walk-through will take place at 5:30 p.m.
Barkett Funeral Home of Cairo is in charge of arrangements.
Published in The Southern Illinoisan on August 27, 2011
CAIRO -- Donald J. Turner, 79, died Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011, in Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau.
He was born Aug. 28, 1931, to the late Joseph M. and Vada Kessler Turner. His stepfather, Clifford Young, also preceded him in death.
He graduated from Cairo High School in 1949, and was a veteran of the U.S. Army, where he earned high honors in Non Commissioned Officers School, attaining the rank of tech sergeant during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge, he returned home to Cairo to the family farm. He was hired by Illinois Central Railroad, where he was employed for 42 years before retiring as conductor and footboard yardmaster. He was active in United Transportation Union, and served as local president and on Union Illinois Legislative Board.
He was employed by Illinois State Police as a clerk and served as coroner of Alexander County. He served honorably as sheriff of Alexander County from 1970 to 1980. Donald is a lifetime member of Illinois Sheriff's Association, and served on its executive board. He was appointed to Illinois Law Enforcement Commission and Local Government Training and Standards Board. He was currently serving as chairman of Alexander County Airport Authority, as well as treasurer of North Cairo Fire Protection District. Donald was a member of St. Patrick's Church, Cairo BPOE 651 and lifetime member of VFW 2649.
Most importantly, Don is best remembered by those who knew him for his kindness, compassion, loyalty and the smiles that he brought to others. He enjoyed the company of his family and friends and was known for his ability to brighten the mood with his stories and jokes. For these qualities, he will be deeply missed and warmly remembered all who knew him.
Donald is survived by his wife, Elizabeth of Cairo; two daughters; two sons; one sister; 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and numerous friends and extended family members.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 29, in St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Cairo. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Villa Ridge with military honors offered by area veterans organizations and the U.S. Army. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28, at Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo. The Holy Rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. The law enforcement walk-through will take place at 5:30 p.m.
Barkett Funeral Home of Cairo is in charge of arrangements.
Published in The Southern Illinoisan on August 27, 2011
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