Merrill Turner

OTTUMWA — Merrill Turner, 82, of 1713 N. Court St., died at 11:54 a.m. Aug. 12, 2009, at Hospice House in Ottumwa.He was born March 7, 1927, in Miami, Fla., to John and Thelma Van Dike Turner. He married Ilean Wilson Sept. 4, 1949. She preceded him in death May 26, 2004.He served with the U.S. Navy during World War II and graduated from the University of Iowa in 1950 with a degree in business.He was a loan officer for several finance companies, office manager and later corporate treasurer for J.W. Edgerly Wholesale Co., and was an accountant and office manager of Elliott Oil, retiring in 1989.He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church for many years and currently a member of St. Mary of the Visitation. He served as State Treasurer for many years for King's Daughters and Sons.Merrill loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, gardening and camping. He loved his country, history and traveling the United States.Surviving are two daughters, Ann (Wayne) Robinson of Coralville and Janet (Paul) VanDenBerg of Ottumwa; four grandchildren, Michael and Julie Robinson, Scott and Joe VanDenBerg. Merrill is also survived by his fiancée, Dottie Donovan.Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary of the Visitation with Father Bernie Weir presiding. Cremation will follow the services.Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Friday at Reece Funeral Home with the family present from 5-7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. A Christian Wake service will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.Memorials may be made to Hospice House, PO Box 1150, Ottumwa, Iowa, 52501; Heartland Humane Society, PO Box 1149, Ottumwa, Iowa, 52501; St. Mary of the Visitation or First Presbyterian Church.Obituary may be viewed at: www.legacy.com/ottumwacourier/Obituaries.asp