Obituary for Ira D. Turner
Ira David Turner, 69, of Worden, passed away on April 1, 2021. He was born on October 14, 1951 in Highland. He grew up in Hamel with his father, mother and two sisters in a home built by his father. By all accounts, Ira was the town troublemaker and occasional bully in his youth, yet he maintained lifelong friendships from his early days.
Ira graduated from Edwardsville High School in 1969 and enlisted in the Army following graduation. He served during the waning years of the Vietnam War in Germany, separated from his wife and son. Upon returning from his service, Ira began his nearly 40-year career as a land surveyor. He worked for many years at Flagg & Associates in Edwardsville and then for Clayton Engineering in Creve Coeur, MO, from which he retired.
Ira enjoyed fishing, hunting, John Wayne movies, classic rock, old school country and folk music, St. Louis Cardinals baseball, Notre Dame football and spending time with his friends over beers at his local watering holes in Worden. He was a member of the Worden American Legion for several years and deservedly proud of his veteran status. Ira was consistently contradictory. He rebuffed attention yet left a lasting impression on many. He wasn’t overly expressive but loved deeply. He believed heartily in the Second Amendment and the right to live one's life as they wished, while never judging anyone except those who judged others. He didn’t flaunt education but was always eager to learn and had vast knowledge about many subjects. Ira was the type of person who would watch the Three Stooges while doing the Sunday crossword puzzle. His contradictions were his way of ensuring that no one knew quite everything about him, which was just how he liked it. Ira joked that he was a grumpy old man, but truly he was always smiling and chuckling and adored his family and friends. He was easy to love back.
Ira is survived by his son, Cameron, of Miami Beach, FL, his daughter, Nicole, and son-in-law, Bradley Woelfel, both of Godfrey; his sisters, Nancy (Pazdernik) of Fort Myers, FL and Jane (Wells) of O’Fallon, MO; his former wife, Kathy (Hosto), of Edwardsville; and several nieces and nephews and close friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Hilda (Martin) and father, John.
There will be a small celebration of life among Ira’s family and close friends in lieu of a service. Kalmer Memorial Services of Lebanon is arranging the cremation. Rather than sending flowers, please consider a donation in Ira’s honor to the Worden Sons of the American Legion, 237 W. Wall Street, Worden IL 62097.
Ira graduated from Edwardsville High School in 1969 and enlisted in the Army following graduation. He served during the waning years of the Vietnam War in Germany, separated from his wife and son. Upon returning from his service, Ira began his nearly 40-year career as a land surveyor. He worked for many years at Flagg & Associates in Edwardsville and then for Clayton Engineering in Creve Coeur, MO, from which he retired.
Ira enjoyed fishing, hunting, John Wayne movies, classic rock, old school country and folk music, St. Louis Cardinals baseball, Notre Dame football and spending time with his friends over beers at his local watering holes in Worden. He was a member of the Worden American Legion for several years and deservedly proud of his veteran status. Ira was consistently contradictory. He rebuffed attention yet left a lasting impression on many. He wasn’t overly expressive but loved deeply. He believed heartily in the Second Amendment and the right to live one's life as they wished, while never judging anyone except those who judged others. He didn’t flaunt education but was always eager to learn and had vast knowledge about many subjects. Ira was the type of person who would watch the Three Stooges while doing the Sunday crossword puzzle. His contradictions were his way of ensuring that no one knew quite everything about him, which was just how he liked it. Ira joked that he was a grumpy old man, but truly he was always smiling and chuckling and adored his family and friends. He was easy to love back.
Ira is survived by his son, Cameron, of Miami Beach, FL, his daughter, Nicole, and son-in-law, Bradley Woelfel, both of Godfrey; his sisters, Nancy (Pazdernik) of Fort Myers, FL and Jane (Wells) of O’Fallon, MO; his former wife, Kathy (Hosto), of Edwardsville; and several nieces and nephews and close friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Hilda (Martin) and father, John.
There will be a small celebration of life among Ira’s family and close friends in lieu of a service. Kalmer Memorial Services of Lebanon is arranging the cremation. Rather than sending flowers, please consider a donation in Ira’s honor to the Worden Sons of the American Legion, 237 W. Wall Street, Worden IL 62097.