Shirley Welch Turner was born to Arch and Jewell (Welch) Turner on Dec. 20, 1938 in the Broyles community near Hartville. He left his earthly body on Jan. 29, 2021 at the age of 82 years, 1 month and 9 days. Shirley’s primary job was installing floor covering. In addition, he pastored a dozen small country churches over 50 years. On Aug. 31, 1957, he married Delores Esther Ratterree. They were blessed with five children and 55 years together before her death. Shirley was also preceded in death by his oldest child, Debbie Worley and her husband, Clinton; son-in-law, Ted Wagner; two grandchildren, Melissa Worley and Travis Wagner; and four brothers, Carl, Darrell, Harold and Ronnie.
He is survived by his children, Dale Keith (Chris) Turner, of West Plains; Ledena (Joe) Romano, of Summersville; Linda (John) Howell, of Springfield; and Beth (David) Zeitler, of Fenton; nine grandchildren, Jennifer (Mark) Gossard, Stephanie Worley, Andria (Brad) Wall, Alisha (Matt) Favazza, Mackenzie Wagner, Stacie (Chris) Compton, Ashley (Andy) Rains, Donald (Alicia) Worley and Jonathon (Sarah) Worley; 14 great-grandchildren, Mark Allen, Eli, Zeke, Evan, Elizabeth, Hannah, Izzy, William, Kyndall, Dustie, David, Kaylee, Anniston and Arik; a brother, Herman Turner; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Shirley never met a stranger. He had a smile and hug for everyone and nicknames for many. He would give the shirt off his back to help a stranger. He could play every stringed instrument by ear and calculate complex numbers in his head. If you gave him a piece of pie or a cup of coffee, you had a friend for life. Then he would share his latest song or a tune on the banjo. In his later years, he enjoyed singing at nursing homes as well as fishing and playing cards with his brothers. Shirley was extremely proud of his family. He was truly one of a kind, loved by all. Services were held on Monday, Feb. 1, 2021 at 2 p.m. at Bethel Chapel Cemetery in Hartville with the Rev. Roger Flint. The musician was Jake Markman. Escorts were Mark Gossard, Matt Favazza, Mackenzie Wagner, Eli Cornman, Evan Cornman and Brad Wall. Memorial donations to the Bethel Chapel Cemetery would be through Holman-Howe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 236, Hartville, Mo. 65667.
