James Edward "Eddie" Turner

Squires, MO

James Edward Turner, 73 years, 10 months, and 25 days old, passed to his heavenly home on January 31, 2011 at Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare, Ava, MO.

Eddie was born March 6, 1937 in Squires, MO to Homer and Mary "Sis" (Spurlock) Turner. He graduated from Ava High School.

Eddie lived most of his life in the Squires community and spent most of his free time with his family and friends around the kitchen table playing pitch and pinochle. He went to the Ava community center, where he ate and played cards and visited his many friends everyday. He loved his family and friends very much and was part of a large family; 34 Spurlock first cousins and 36 Turner first cousins.


Eddie worked for the Missouri Conservation Commission as a Tower Man for 10 years and then went to Illinois to work for Rohn's Manufacturing Co. making aluminum gates. He returned home to Squires in 1972, where he worked at Rawlings Sporting Goods for 22 years as a forklift operator until his retirement in 1994. He was a member of the Teamsters Union. After work, he would come home to take care of his ailing father and mother. He was a wonderful caretaker.

In 1951, at the age of 14, Eddie gave his life to Jesus Christ at the Murray Church and rededicated his life in the late 90's. He loved attending Sandy Church until his health failed him. While ill, he was cared for by his sister, Annette for years. They enjoyed their time together as they spent many hours recalling the good times they shared. He told others that, "he was ready to go". Eddie was a great nephew, brother, uncle, great uncle and friend to all who knew him. He will be missed.

Eddie was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Donald Turner.


Eddie is survived by five sisters, Charlene Tellor, Peoria, IL, Annette Clayton, Squires, MO, Mary Lou Hodges & husband, Bill, Ava, MO, Josie Adamson & Jerry, Mansfield, MO and Sandra Clopper & husband, Terry, Farmington, MO, one sister-in-law, Wanda Turner, Peoria, IL and he also left behind "his kids", 16 nephews and nieces, 24 great nephews and nieces and five great- great nephews and nieces.


Funeral services for Eddie will be Saturday, February 5, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, MO with burial in the Fannon Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, February 4, 2011 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home. Officiating will be Rev. Neal Crum, Rev. Randy Dalton and Rev. Frances Humbyrd. Memorials may be made to Sandy Church Building Fund or Fannon Cemetery.