John Raymond Turner

John (Jack) Raymond Turner, 87, of Indianola, Iowa, passed away on January 13th, 2026, surrounded in love by family.

Jack was born on July 22, 1938, to John and Florence Turner. He grew up on the east side of Des Moines and attended Tech High School for the Diesel Mechanic program. He began working at a young age, doing a variety of different jobs, including working at a nearby creamery. As he got older, he spent summers in Walker, Minnesota, at his relative’s restaurant/store/gas station called Turner’s Y Market.

As a young man, he first joined the Army National Guard and later transferred to the Iowa Air National Guard. Jack had over 35 years of military service as a mechanic in the Motor Pool before retiring. He made lifelong friends in the Guard and for many years participated in the ANG Bowling Tournament. He retired more than once and always found other jobs to keep him busy, such as driving trucks for Ruan, PDI and even school buses for Johnston Public Schools. He also enjoyed working part-time for the Iowa Cubs and Wells Fargo arena. It was a sad time for him when he could no longer work or drive. Jack loved being around people and made friends wherever he went. He loved the Iowa State Fair, the KC Chiefs, bowling, playing cards and telling stories. He could fix and build just about anything, including a motorhome and a pickup camper. He was the guy who would stop to help someone in need, whether it was a stalled car or to direct traffic after an accident.

Jack leaves behind his wife, Betty; children, Linda (Glenn) Hledik, John (Jan) Turner, Suzanne (Ken) Williams, Jennifer Proft, Denise (Dennis) Brown, Jessica (Nathan) Goolsby, Erin (Andrew) Arthur; and stepson, Pat Kenworthy; along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Richard Turner, Beverly Beggs and Roberta “Bert” Morton; and stepson, Tony Kenworthy.

There will be a committal service at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Van Meter, IA, on Tuesday, February 10th, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, February 15th, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at American Legion Post # 247 Baldwin-Patterson 2211 E 42nd St, Des Moines IA, 50317. Where the family invites you to share your stories and memories of him.

Given Jack’s fondness for the Iowa State Fair, memorial contributions can be made to the family or the Iowa State Fair Blue-Ribbon Foundation in his honor or memory, to help acquire a lasting memorial for him at the fairgrounds.

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