David M. Turner Sr.

David MacAllister Turner, a native of Towanda and the son of the late Hulett MacAllister Turner and Floy Lilly Turner, was born May 17, 1917. He graduated from Towanda Area High School in 1933 and attended Lycoming College and the University of Virginia. Mr. Turner had an extensive career in publishing, starting in 1939 at his family's century-old newspaper business, The Towanda Printing Company. Mr. Turner became editor and publisher in 1951. When he retired in 1977, he and his wife, Marion, moved to Naples, Fla.

David served in the US Navy in World War II with duty in the South Pacific. During his newspaper career he served as President of the Pennsylvania Division of the associated Press and President of the Pennsylvania Newspaper Publishers Association. In 1961 he was one of 14 newsmen from around the world to visit Antarctica for the US Navy.

As he ended his publishing career, David's interests turned to state politics which had been part of his family's history. His grandfather, Dr. Charles Lilly, served in Congress with Teddy Roosevelt and in 1910 Roosevelt selected Dr. Lilly to inspect the Panama Canal. David served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for two terms. He was honored for his service by the Mayor of Philadelphia who presented him with the key to the city of Philadelphia in 1976.

David served as chief of the Towanda Fire Department and was also a member of the Naiad-Linta Fire Company.

He served on the Board of Directors of the Citizens and Northern Bank of Towanda and the Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Pa. When he and Marion retired to Naples, Fla., they were part of a group who built the first home in Immokalee with Habitat for Humanity. He was also President of the Immokalee Child Care Center.

David was an avid sports fan and won the Towanda Country Club's Gold Championship in 1947. He was a dedicated volunteer and participated in many organizations such as flying for the Civil Air Patrol, and served in many capacities at the First Presbyterian Church of Naples.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Marion Smith Turner. Other survivors include children David Jr. (Bette) of Waleska, Ga., Alison Walton (Edward) of Jacksonville, Fla. and Dera Shearer (Robert) of Reidsville, N.C. Surviving grandchildren include Valerie Turner, Drew Turner, David Turner, April Turner, William Bettes III, and Eleanor Bettes; great-grandchildren Maenza Turner, Sandevan Turner, Rachel Turner, Claire Turner and John Turner.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Immokalee Child Care Center, 3775 Airport-Pulling Rd., Naples, FL 34105 or First Presbyterian Church, 250 Sixth St., South Naples, FL 34102.