Robert Earl Turner, 73, Huntingburg
Robert “Bob” Earl Turner, Huntingburg, passed away on Sunday, August 14, 2016, as the result of a motor vehicle accident.
Bob was born in Princeton, Indiana, on January 29, 1943, to the late Richard and Sarah (Devin) Turner. Bob graduated from Princeton High School and became a brakeman for Southern Railway. He was later promoted to conductor. He retired from Norfolk Southern Railway, where he worked for 38 years.
Bob enjoyed his family, his many friends, car shows, gardening, his monthly class reunion meetings and his union meetings. He never met a stranger and always had a good story to share. He rebuilt a 1981 Chevrolet stepside, he nicknamed “Fancy Pants”, and he won a roomful of trophies at the car shows where he made many more good friends. He was also a good cook and special family requests at the holidays were his infamous chicken wings and horseradish deviled eggs. He invented foods too and gave them his own twist on names such as Eggplant Lamborghini Casserole. He believed in giving back and was dedicated to writing monthly checks to Riley Children’s Hospital; Shriner’s Hospital; St. Jude’s; Salvation Army; Father Flanigan; and Hunger for America.
Preceding him in death in addition to his parents, were mother-in-law, Mary Grant Morris and father-in-law, Joseph Grant, brother-in-law Clarence Bilskie and sister-in-law Marilyn Williams.
Surviving are his wife, Betty, sons, Robert Christopher Turner (Satina) and Bradley James Turner of Patoka, Russ Fant (Leah) of Huntingburg, and Deke Tooley (fiancée, Stephanie Medlock) of New Albany, and daughter Suzanne Seng (Jeff) of Evansville, also Robert E. Turner of Ft. Branch; grandchildren, Heath Dill (Meg) of Yankeetown, Crystal Mars of Evansville, Russell Ellison (Patricia) of Ft. Campbell, Ky., Grant McCoy (Andrea) of Greenwood, Sidney Tooley of Huntingburg, Marissa Turner and Breylin Turner of Princeton, Nicole Fant of Huntingburg and Claire Tooley of New Albany. He has a grandson, Baby Turner, due in November 2016. Also surviving are 11 great-grandchildren; brother, Richard Turner (Shelby) of Princeton, sister, Sandra Bilskie of Houston, Texas; brothers-in-law, Hugh Grant (JoAnn) of Galt, Cali. and Robert Williams of Beaver Creek, Ohio; and sister-in-law, Lila Meyer of Sequin, Texas.
Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. CST on Saturday, August 20, 2016, at Colvin Funeral Home in Princeton, Indiana, concluding with a Celebration of Life Service at 5:00 p.m. CST at the Colvin Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Riley Children’s Hospital, Shriner’s Hospital or St. Jude’s Hospital.. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
You may light a candle or express a condolence at www.colvinfuneralhome.com.
