Tom Richard Turner

Tom Richard Turner, 76, of Topeka, died early Thursday afternoon, January 22, 2009, at his home.  He had been ill with lung cancer the past two years. He was born in Sturgis, Michigan, on June 23, 1932, to the late William “Bill” and May (Troyer) Turner.  He married Loretta Witt in 1953.  He then married Sharon Zook on December 31, 1984 in Maryland.  She survives. A graduate of Topeka High School, Mr. Turner served in the US Navy as a medic for four years.  In 1959 he graduated from Purdue University School of Pharmacy where he was a member of the Rho Chi Society.  He was a lifetime member of the LaGrange American Legion and the Purdue Alumni Association.  He attended Eden Worship Center and Topeka Baptist Church.  He served on the LaGrange County BZA and Planning Commission from 1980 to 1990. In 1969 Mr. Turner became owner and head pharmacist of Turner Pharmacy.  He then worked for Abbott Laboratories in the Chicago area for about ten years before returning to the Topeka area in 1978 where he served as vice-president of Tite Lok until 1990.  He last worked as a pharmacist for Walmart from 1991 through May 2008. He is survived by his wife, Sharon; four daughters, Debra J. (Earl) Saxman of Matthews, North Carolina, Kari A. (Jay) Shannon of West Memphis, Arkansas, Nichole M. (Dan) Orvin of Charleston, South Carolina, and Heather D. (Mike) Antal of Topeka; two sons, Scott T. (Judy) Turner of Moline, Illinois, and Stewart A. (Jackie) Bender of Topeka; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a niece, Jamie Thompson of Beaver, Ohio. He was preceded in death by a brother, Bill Turner in 2007. Friends may call 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, January 26 at Eden Worship Center in Topeka. A 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 27, 2009, funeral service will be held at Eden Worship Center, Topeka.  Rev. Harold Gingerich will officiate. Burial, with military honors, will be in Eden Cemetery, Topeka, Indiana. Memorial contributions may be made to Goshen Center for Cancer Care or Goshen Care at Home Hospice.