Obituary of Delmer Lee Turner

Delmer Lee Turner, 85, of Bloomington passed away at 2:45 p.m., Thursday at Bell Trace Health and Living Center. Born April 27, 1927 in Lawrence County, Indiana to Benjamin and Julia (Young) Turner. Delmer attended Needmore High School and just before starting his senior year, was drafted by the army and sent to Camp Lee in Virginia for basic training on August 8, 1945. He served his country for 18 months overseas in France and Germany. Delmer was honorably discharged at Fort Sheraton, Illinois on January 25, 1947, and he returned to Lawrence County. With his father he formed a farming partnership. On January 25, 1950 he married Lucy Ann McKnight of Harrodsburg. That same year he started working at GM (Central Foundry) in Bedford. In 1952, he left GM and purchased a 350 acre farm in Monroe County. His love for the land and outdoors became his full time occupation and passion. The Monroe County farm became his lifelong residence and where he raised his three daughters. On October 10, 1959 tragedy struck and he lost his beloved wife Lucy of almost 10 years. On June 25, 1960 he married Anna Belle (Stines) in Ellettsville, Indiana. After more than 50 years of marriage, Ann preceded him in death on April 25, 2011. His farming became his calling and he strove to be the best farmer ever. He worked long hours and diligently to have the straightest corn and soybean rows and the highest yields. He was a tender of animals and loved raising Simmental cross cattle and crossbred swine. He practiced farming conservation and was awarded the Monroe County Conservation farmer of the year in 1994. Over the years he expanded his farm operation by acquiring more land in Lawrence and Monroe County. To supplement the family farm, he worked at several limestone quarries in Bloomington and Oolitic. He drove a school bus for Clear Creek Township Schools, Smithville, and later Monroe County Community Schools. Some of his fondest memories were joking with students and transporting the Smithville High School boys basketball team to away games. For more than 64 years, Delmer was a member of the Harrodsburg Assembly of God Church. In his younger years he served the church in many capacities, church treasurer, Sunday School Superintendent and a deacon. He was also a proud member of the Masons and the Scottish rite. Sadly 15 years ago he was forced to retire from farming due to macular degeneration. With very poor eye sight, he still enjoyed riding in his RTV to his corn, soybean fields, and pastures. He enjoyed watching and listening to cattle auctions on the RFD farm channel and actively kept tabs on the grain market. He was always happiest when surrounded by family and his little dog, Kado. Delmer is survived by his daughters, Sharon (Alan) Armstrong of Springville, Beth (Bob) Shields Harrodsburg. He will be remembered by his grandchildren; Amy (Cam) Spires, Dr. Ashley (Heath Prince) Armstrong and Allison Armstrong all of Springville. Derrek (Michelle) Thompson, Bedford, Lauren and Alex Runyon Harrodsburg, Kathryn Ryan of Zionsville, and step grandchildren Isaac and Zach Shields of Bedford. His great-grandchildren, Jacob, Joshua, and Scout Thompson, Caden and Casen Spires, Olivia Grace Prince, and step great- grandchild Gavin Blackman. A sister, Virginia Ingram, Springville and two of his first cousins, who were like brothers, Frank and Eithel Turner. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wives, sisters Mary Louise (infancy), Beulah Gill and a daughter, Connie Sue Ryan. Funeral Information Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 3rd in the Elmwood Chapel of the Day and Carter Mortuary, Bedford, with Pastor Terry Doane officiating. Burial will be at Clover Hill Cemetery, Harrodsburg. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, July 2nd and from 9:00 a.m. until time of service on Tuesday, July 3rd at the Day & Carter Mortuary . Masonic services will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 2nd at the mortuary. Donations Information Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Harrodsburg Assembly of God Church.