Joseph LaVern Turner

Joseph LaVern Turner

1918 – 2010

Joseph LaVern Turner, 92, died Sunday, October 2, 2010, at his home in Danville, Calif.

Graveside services were held Oct. 7, at Alta Mesa Memorial Park in Palo Alto, Calif.

Joseph was born July 5, 1918, at Petersburg, Neb., to John and Elizabeth (Von Bonn) Turner.

Joseph was married to Mary “Peggy” Dowd on Sept. 23, 1944, at St. Canices Church—Sydney in New South Wales, Australia.

Joseph spent four year in the service during World War II.

Joseph loved working in his yard and loved animals, especially loved his family.

Joseph will be greatly missed by the many lives he touched with his quick wit and insatiable hunger for life, candy corn and licorice.

Survivors include a special niece LaRae and husband David Verhoelk and children Jason, Jennifer and Janelle, who took care of Joe for many years; brothers LaVern Turner of Stayton, Ore., Sylvester Turner and his wife Mary of Eudora, Ark., Edward Turner of Cedar Rapids, and Julius Turner and wife Bonnie of Cedar Rapids; sisters Delores Wiehn and husband Dan of Carroll; Darlene Roberts and husband Ed of Mount Pleasant, S.C.; and many other nieces and nephews.

Joseph was preceded in death by his parents John and Elizabeth (Von Bonn) Turner, his wife Mary “Peggy” Dowd Turner, who died on Jan. 18, 2003, brothers Leonoard and Johnnie Turner, sisters Betty Jo Turner, Helen and Marie Espenhover, and brothers-and sisters-in-law Jo and Harry Espenhover, Ina Marie Turner and Jerome Sporrer.