Obituary of Franklin Dale Turner

Franklin Dale Turner, 89, loving husband, devoted father and grandfather, passed peacefully surrounded by family in St. Vincent Heart Care Center on Friday, June 19, 2015. He was born August 22, 1925 in rural Bedford, IN to Brada and Rose (Adams) Turner and was the youngest of six boys. He is survived by his wife of 68 years and high school sweetheart, Mona Gayle (Kirkman) Turner; Son, Dr. Dennis (Melody) Turner; Grandchildren-Monica (Hal) Kirkwood, West Lafayette, IN; Erich (Anne) Turner, Dallas, TX; Austin (Tricia) Malone, Bedford, IN; Brady Turner, Indianapolis, IN (mother, Susie Kern). Great-Grandchildren-Garrett(U.S. Army), Kenzie, Elle and Finn. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Brada and Rose; a son, Mark; brothers- Dewey (Lona), Vestal (Maxine), Noble (Dorothy), Harold (Mary), Eithel (Margie), step-brother, Dean (Cassie) and step-Mother, Lois. Frank was a proud graduate of Needmore High School and a patriot extraordinaire. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943 immediately out of high school and fought in WWII from Normandy across Europe to the Battle of the Bulge. He was humbled and honored to be the 2014 Grand Marshall for the Oolitic Town Parade as one of the oldest living WWII veterans living in Oolitic. He retired from General Motors, Bedford, after 41 years. Frank dedicated his life to love for his wife and family, a passion and allegiance to Jesus and His word, and deep appreciation for citizenship and the freedoms so many have fought to preserve. He loved attending church and taught and led Sunday School activities and Youth Groups for over forty years. Frank personified kindness and extended the joy of friendship to every one he met. He genuinely loved life. He sincerely loved people and relished the sparkle in children’s eyes. He was a master of making the "moments" count with his family whom he adored. His life priorities were not complicated: He cared for family; he enjoyed God’s word as a guide for life; and he purposed to be an "encourager." He had a bit of a poet in him and he loved quotes and memorized Scripture right to the last (most recently Romans 15:13) He was our family prayer warrior. He will be forever loved and remembered by his wife and family. His memorial service will be conducted at 11:00 am on Thursday, June 25th at the Tabernacle of Praise in Bedford, officiated by Rev. Gary Thomas and Rev. David Wigington. Burial will follow in the Hilltop Cemetery in Avoca. Visitation will be from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, June 24th at the Day & Carter Mortuary and from 10:00 am until the hour of service on Thursday, June 25th at the Tabernacle of Praise. Pallbearers include Hal Kirkwood; Brady Turner; Nancy Eggers; Jim Woods; Erich Turner; Gary Wray. Honorary Pallbearers: Monica Kirkwood, Austin Malone, Dr. Medhat Girgis, Rev. Claude Cobb and Walter "Wally" Green (WWII buddy). In lieu of flowers, a gift can be given to the Mark L.Turner Scholarship Fund. Family and friends may express condolences at www.daycarter.com.