The Rev. James “Warren” Turner, 86, of East Peoria, Ill., passed away on Friday, April 7, 2023, at Liberty Village Manor Court of Peoria, Ill.
He was born on
February 17, 1937, in Mexico, Missouri to Elbert, Sr. and Clarissa
(Cash) Turner. In 1958, he married Helen McVeigh; she survives. They
divorced and on March 14, 1982 he married his wife of 41 years, Barbara
Farquhar Williams; she survives.
He is also survived by his
children, Greg (Monika) Turner of Granger, IN and Rebecca (Dan) Dominic
of Peoria; his stepson, Daryl (Terri) Williams of Manhattan, KS; his
brother, Elbert (Meryldee) Turner of Agency, Mo; his sister, Chris Zogg
of Bloomington; 9 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren, and several
nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a niece (Leslie Heckman) and a nephew (Luke Woodson).
Warren was raised in Missouri. He graduated from Mexico High School,
Class of 1955. He obtained a BS in Agriculture from the University of
Missouri, Columbia in 1959 and a Bachelors of Divinity from Missouri
School of Religion in Columbia in 1964. In 1971, he received his Masters
in Religious Education, also from the Missouri School of Religion. He
was an ordained minister for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
and served at churches in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, and Colorado. He
was currently a member of the First Christian Church of Peoria.
Warren played the guitar, mandolin and the ukelele. For 35 years, he
sang as a baritone for many different Barbershop choruses, including the
Pride of Peoria Barbershop Chorus. He was also an avid sportsman and
loved to hunt.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on
Friday, April 14, 2023, at the First Christian Church of Peoria, with
visitation at the church from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. Rev.
Karen Merrick will officiate. A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00
a.m. on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at New Salem Cemetery in Creal
Springs, IL. Gary Deiters Funeral Home & Cremation Services is
assisting the family.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church of Peoria. Online condolences may be left at www.GaryDeitersFH.com.