Gerald Dee Turner

Gerald "Jerry" Dee Turner, 85, of rural Lanark died on Sunday, March 26, 2023.

Jerry was born on September 2, 1937 in Sterling, IL, son of Dwight and June (Herrington) Turner. He graduated from Milledgeville High School. He married Verneice Schultz on May 9, 1965, in Shannon. Jerry spent his entire life living on the family farm, with the early years being devoted to dairy farming.

After retiring, he continued his passion for farming working part-time at Terra, Inc. of Milledgeville and being a spotter for aerial crop spraying in Fenton. He then drove a grain semi for Roberts Trucking and was a driver for Morgan Excavating.

Jerry was baptized in the Church of the Brethren. He was part of the Brethren Volunteer Service. Through this experience he travelled by ship to 8 European countries, transporting cattle. When he was younger, he enjoyed playing tennis and meeting men at the coffee shop. He loved taking drives with his wife, including to see the fall colors, pick peaches in Michigan, or just to get an ice cream cone at Bears in Thompson. He loved family vacations, walking on the beach, attending Branson, Mo. shows, and celebrating holidays with his family. But he always needed to be home by 5pm on Saturdays to watch Lawrence Welk. Although he was somewhat stubborn, his greatest qualities were his jovial sense of humor, gift to gab, and his enthusiastic presence in every family moment. He was a role model for working hard and putting your family first. Known as Poppy, his granddaughters were his pride and joy. He had a heart of gold!

He will be deeply missed by his wife Verneice (Schultz) Turner, two daughters, Tammy Haag of Milledgeville, and Tanya Turner of Sterling, two granddaughters, Taylor Haag of Ripon, WI, and Tyra Haag of Milledgeville, and in honor of Jerry’s humor, one grandkitty, Princess.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Shirley (Turner) Woodin.

A private family service will be held at a later date.