Ken Turner

(From Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary)

Mr. S. K. “Ken” Turner, Sr., 88, of Joplin, Missouri, departed this life on Wednesday morning, November 5, 2014, at his home.

Ken entered this life on August 17, 1926, in Shelbyville, Missouri, born to the late Samuel C. Turner and Essie N. (Hope) Turner. Ken graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1944 prior to entering the United States Army. He attended Northeast Missouri State University and the ABA Banking Institute in preparation for his four decades of banking. On November 29, 1953, he married Sarah Katherine Shelton. As president of the First National Bank in Kirksville, Missouri, Ken also served in 1980 as president of The Missouri Bankers Association. Mr. Turner learned to play trumpet in the fifth grade and even played in the army band during WWII. His trumpet legacy continues through his son and grandsons. He enjoyed flying airplanes, refereeing basketball games and mentoring young men through Boy Scout and youth Sunday School.

Ken retired to Joplin in 1992 where he served as deacon in Harmony Heights Baptist Church. He also worked as a realtor.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Aleene Wunderlich and Virginia Kelso.

Ken is survived by his wife of nearly sixty-one years, Sarah Katherine Turner; his two children, Sarah Kathleen Estep, Dr. Samuel K. Turner, Jr.; five grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mr. Turner are 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 8, 2014 at Harmony Heights Baptist Church in Joplin, Missouri with Reverend Charlie Burnett officiating. Burial will follow in the Shelbyville Memorial Cemetery in Shelbyville, Missouri. Those honoring his life by serving as pallbearers are Bill Smith, Chuck Skinner, Herb Tidd, Charley Massey, Gene Henderson, and J.R. Jones. A visitation will be held Friday evening from 5-7:00 p.m. in the chapel of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary. In lieu of flowers memorials are being directed to The Gideons International, Bible donation; contributions may be left at the mortuary. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary in Joplin, Missouri.