Johnnie E. Turner's Obituary
Decatur-Johnnie E. Turner, 86, of Decatur passed away at 12:50 pm on Friday, October 14, 2011 in Decatur Memorial Hospital surrounded by his loving family.
Johnnie was born on June 17, 1925 in Decatur the son of John M. and Sarah K. (Foster) Turner. He married Vonnie (Olive A.) Dunn in Springfield on July 18, 1946.
Johnnie was a U.S. Navy Veteran serving in Hawaii during WWII. After the Navy, he worked for Meadow Gold Dairy as a milkman, then for Decatur Public Schools as a school bus driver and later delivered hot lunches to the schools.
After his retirement in 1987, he and Vonnie spent many winters in Texas enjoying fun times with family and friends.
Johnnie is survived by his wife of 65 years, Vonnie, and triplet daughters Marilyn (Jim) Corley, Marcia (Leroy) Dillow, and Marla (Larry) Winkleblack; five grandchildren Kaye (Mike) Moran, Billy (Becky) Guernsey, Jill (Chad) Bolin, Matt (Stacey) Corley and Brandon (Angie) Guernsey; fifteen great-grandchildren Ryan and Nathan Moran, Ashley, Britney, Caleb and Dustin Guernsey, Hunter, Connor, Alexis and Tristan Bolin, McKenna, Reece and Zane Corley, and Raelyn and Madilyn Guernsey, plus one great-great grandchild Brady Guernsey.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Floyd and infant daughter, Karen Gail.
Johnnie enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and all who knew him enjoyed his great sense of humor and his loving nature. He never knew a stranger and loved to talk to everyone he met. A couple of his favorite sayings were 'Be good if you can,' and 'Come back when you can stay longer.'
Funeral service celebrating John's life will be at 10 am Wednesday, October 19, 2011 in Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Visitation will be 5-7 pm Tuesday in the funeral home. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Macon County Honor Guard and conclude with the 'Flight Home' ceremony. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to 'The Seeing Eye,' Washington Valley Road, P.O. Box 375, Morristown, NJ 07963-0375 in memory of Windy, Marla's Seeing Eye Dog.
The family of Johnnie Turner is being served by the Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home honored provider of Veteran's Funeral Care, 2091 N. Oakland Ave., Decatur, IL. View the online obituary and send condolences to the family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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