Turnis, William Eugene 1946-2011

TURNIS, SHERLOCK, VASKE, BURZLAFF, WEYDERT, MEIER, MCDONELL, JASPER, DIGMAN, HEID

Posted By: Ruth Maring - Volunteer
Date: 7/18/2011 at 12:06:27

William E. "Bill" Turnis, 65, DeWitt, died unexpectedly early Saturday morning, June 25, 2011 at Genesis Medical Center-DeWitt.

Bill was born William Eugene Turnis, February 17, 1946 at Monticello, Iowa, to Frank and Mary (Sherlock) Turnis. He graduated from the former St. Paul High School in Worthington, Iowa. Bill served in the U.S. Army from 1965-68 in which time he served a tour of duty in Vietnam. After being honorably discharged, he attended the University of Northern Iowa, and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Bill worked for U.S. Army Field Support Command as Director of Procurement at the Rock Island Arsenal for 33 years, retiring in 2005. He then owned and operated Turnis Lawn Care, DeWitt. Bill married Verna Vaske, June 20, 1970 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Greeley, Iowa.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, DeWitt, and the Knights of Columbus. Bill was currently an active member of Eugene McManus American Legion Post #238, DeWitt, the DeWitt Noon Lions Club, the Central Community School District Board of Education of DeWitt, and the DeWitt Hospital Foundation. He recently was a guardian on a Quad City Honor Flight and enjoyed it immensely. Bill was a former member of the DeWitt City Council. He enjoyed spending time with family and grandkids, attending auctions, caring for his lawn clients, and woodworking. Bill was a huge fan of Saber Activities and the Iowa Hawkeyes. He was a proud supporter of the DeWitt Community and his country. Bill's final act of kindness was through tissue and bone donation.

He will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife of 41 years, Verna; children and their spouses, Brian and Kari Turnis of Clive, Iowa, Chris and Helene Turnis of West Des Moines, Iowa, Kim and Dan Burzlaff of Delmar, Leanne and Scott Weydert of Grimes, Iowa, and Renee and Matt Meier of DeWitt; grandchildren, Haley and Nathan Turnis, Alivia, Elyce and Grace Burzlaff, Will, Brynn and Ryan Weydert and Jacob and Brady Meier; siblings, Norma McDonell, Frances (Larry) Jasper, Ruth Turnis, Janet (Jack) Digman, Rosie (Leo) Heid and Phil (Mary Kay) Turnis; mother-in-law, Helen Vaske; numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding Bill in death are his parents, brothers, Richard and Mark Turnis, a sister, Betty Turnis; brothers-in-law, Steve McDonell and Ambrose Vaske and his father-in-law, Paul Vaske.

The family will receive relatives and friends at St. Joseph Catholic Church, DeWitt, from 2:00 until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 28, 2011 with a vigil service 7:00 p.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 29, 2011 in St. Joseph Catholic Church, DeWitt, with the Rev. Fr. Paul Connolly officiating. Burial and Military Rites will follow at the Church Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to DeWitt Hospital Foundation, St. Joseph Church, Central Community Schools and DeWitt American Legion.

Pallbearers will be Joe O'Neil, John Kruse, Gene Harrison, Darrel Schnurr, Mike Devine and Mike McCarville. Honorary pallbearers will be Rick Ryan, Dwight Spangler, Dennis Schnoor, Bill Schrader, Dennis Scheckel, Dan Kopp and Darwin Kilburg.

Condolences may be expressed and a photo tribute viewed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com

Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt, caring for the arrangements.