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John Turk Obituary
John S. Turk, 75, of Elkhart, passed away Monday, May 22, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on June 12, 1947, in Elkhart to Phil and Jane Turk. On Sept. 11, 1971, in Elkhart, he married Gwen S. Sawyer.
After graduating from Elkhart High School, Class of 1965, John attended North Texas State University for two years. He then served his country in the U.S. Navy on a nuclear submarine during the Vietnam War where he received the Bronze Star. He was the owner of American Trailer Supply from 1971 to 1999. He then bought and sold real estate until the present time. He was a member of Simonton Lake Sportsman's Club. He volunteered for Stone Soup Promotions.
Surviving are his wife, Gwen; daughter, Kim (Aaron) Coates of Goshen; son, Scott Turk of Elkhart; six grandchildren, Hannah Coates, Emily Coates, Isabella Turk, Ethan Coates, Allison Coates and James Turk; his sister, Maryan (Les) Thimlar of Fishers, Indiana; and sisters-in-law Paula Turk of Elkhart, Chuck and Karen Andrews of Raleigh, North Carolina, and brother-in-law Bill and Shirley Sawyer of Elkhart. John was preceded in death by his parents and brother Ross Turk.
Visitation will be 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, June 1, at Beulah Missionary church, 57595 Old County Road 17, Goshen, IN 46528, where funeral services will be at noon. Pastor Kelley Sewell will be officiating. Entombment with Military Honors will follow at Rice Cemetery, Elkhart.
Memorials for John may be made to Beulah Missionary Church at www.beulahchurch.org.
Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46514 is entrusted with arrangements for the Turk family. Online condolences at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Turk
Sponsored by Stemm Lawson Peterson Funeral Home and Cremation Center - Elkhart.
4 Entries
Dave Pittenger
May 31, 2023
Gwen and family we will be unable to attend the service for John tomorrow but we want you to know how sorry we are about his passing. John and American Trailer were so much a part of Dave´s life when he first started working. We alway appreciated everything he did for us He had a heart of gold. Dave and Cathy Pittenger
Marlene Leininger
May 28, 2023
Dear Gwen, We´re sad to hear of John´s passing. Our prayers are with you and your family. We have enjoyed getting to know your granddaughter Emily as she studies here in Durango. Our love, Bob and Marlene Leininger
linda rothrock jurus
May 27, 2023
My sympathy to John's family at this sad time.
Phyllis Overhulser
May 27, 2023
I remember the Turk family very well. My husband bought much at Trailer Supply and spent much time talking to Phil and John.
They were great people.
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