David Turner

David E. Turner

BELLVILLE: Folks who claim "I don't believe in heroes" just hadn't met Dave Turner. Faithful. Patriotic. Kind. Loving. Dave was a giving kind of soul who loved people - he really never met a stranger - and they loved him back. Dave had the kind of personality that genuinely invested in others: he was a doer, and a giver, a modern day hero.

Dave will spend his first Christmas in Heaven this year as the Lord called him into his presence Saturday morning December 20, 2014 from his Bellville home. He was 79.

Born April 22, 1935 in Mansfield to Roy and Pearl (Hershey) Turner, Dave was graduated from Bellville High School in 1953. Determined to play football at The Ohio State University and meet Woody Hayes, Dave worked his first year out of high school to save the money to attend OSU, where he did play freshman football and baseball. "Success is the only motivational factor that a boy with character needs." (Woody Hayes) He also later attended Ashland University.

Dave worked 42 years with General Motors. He held numerous management positions and retired as supervisor of facility engineering. He loved GM. He loved his job. Anything he did - he did right.

He enjoyed gardening and an afternoon spent on his John Deere. Any sporting event that featured one of his grandchildren was a top priority and he followed OSU football and basketball…well, pretty much all Ohio sports teams…with great attention.

A Civil War buff, Dave brought his family on many vacations to Gettysburg, and took so many trips to Amish country, that he knew every back road and most of the buggy drivers in Holmes County!

He was an active member of Little Washington Congregational Church, where he formerly served the congregation as trustee and sang in the choir. He thoroughly enjoyed being a volunteer at the Lucas Area Food Pantry.

Dave is survived by his adoring family that includes his wife of 58 years, Donna Turner of Bellville; their children, Tim and Helen Turner of Bellville, Jeff and Debbie Turner of Bellville, Rick and Patti Turner of Deerfield Beach, Florida and Cheyenne and Jim Fanello of Mansfield; grandchildren, Nate Turner, Trae Turner, Courtney and Jake Swihart, Whitney and Kelsey Smith, Tyler David Turner, Ryan and Rachael Casper, Nicole and Danny Lallance and Leah Fanello; great grandchildren, Raelyn and Falyn Smith, Turner and Kenley Swihart, Dawson and McKenzie Lallance, and Finley Casper; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Roma and Jim Gatton of Bellville; along with several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Martha Rose Dille; and brothers, James Norman Turner and Don Allen Turner.

The Turner will receive friends Monday, December 22, 2014 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Bellville Snyder Funeral Home, where a service celebrating the gift of the life of David E. Turner will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. Pastor Dave Root will officiate and will be assisted by Mr. Turner's grandson Trae Turner. Burial will follow in Bellville Cemetery.

Memorial contributions for David's legacy to Jefferson Township-Bellville Rescue Squad may be made at the funeral home.

Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the Turner family. Visit SnyderFuneralHomes.com to leave them a message of sympathy and support.