Hilliard "Junior" Hayes Turner Jr.

Junior Turner, age 86, of Grinnell, Iowa, died peacefully after battling end-stage renal disease, on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at his home in Seeland Park with his two daughters by his side.
A celebration of life gathering of family and friends will be held at the St. Francis Manor & Seeland Park Social Center, 2021 4th Avenue in Grinnell on Sunday, September 1, 2024 from 1-4PM.
Hilliard H. Turner Jr. was born the only son of Hilliard H. Turner Sr. and Eldora Virginia (Rickard) Turner on Wednesday, August 25, 1937, at the Grinnell Regional Hospital. Eleven days after his birth, he and his mother were personally driven from the hospital to their country home by Dr. Edwin Korfmacher in his brand new 1937 Chevy; a story his father Hilliard loved to tell!
Junior, one of the youngest in his class, started school at the age of five at Rock Creek Country School House No. 5. The family moved to town when he was eight where he attended 2nd grade at Davis School and finished grade school at Cooper. Junior was a member of the Grinnell High School Class of 1955.
He was united in marriage to Judith Evelyn Rutherford on September 9, 1955, at the First Baptist Church in Grinnell. The couple was blessed with four children, Diane, Joni, Laura, and Gregory. They raised their family on their 80-acre tract southeast of Grinnell where he enjoyed hobby farming and raising cattle and horses. He and Judy enjoyed taking the kids on camping and water sports adventures and belonged to local square and round dancing groups.
Junior held a strong Christian faith was a member of the First Baptist Church (FBC) since infancy. As an FBC board member, he assisted with the building transition to Prairie Lakes Church of which he was a member after the official closing of First Baptist Church. He spent his final years as a member of Grinnell Christian Church and especially enjoyed the fellowship of his Sunday School class and home visits by the Communion Team.
Junior loved tinkering on old cars and tractors, hitching ponies up to carts, camping, and visiting favorite fishing holes. He worked for the Maytag Corporation for over 30 years, retiring the summer of 1996. He was a founding member of Grinnell's Optimist Club and known for his kind heart and generosity. He was a 45-year member of the Elks Lodge where he enjoyed gathering with long time and new acquaintances. He also served as a local Big Brother and Hospice volunteer. Junior was a stranger to no one and opened his home to those in need.
Junior is survived by his two sisters, Virgina Ahrens of Marshfield, MO and Sharon Vorhees of Cedar Falls, IA; two daughters, Diane (Gary) Forristall of Macedonia, IA and Laura (Steve) Poole of Grinnell; son Greg (Lynn) Turner of Panama City, FL; grandchildren, Hillary (Forristall) Hughes of Cedar Rapids, IA, Kevin Forristall of Macedonia, IA, Audrey (Lymer) Johnson of Grinnell, Aaron Lymer of Bellingham, WA, Jolene Harris of Cedar Rapids, IA, Caitlin "Katie" Harris of West Valley City, UT, Colton Harris of Omaha, NE, Shyann Turner and Dalton Turner, both of Panama City, FL, eight great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Judy of 59 years (3/25/15), daughter Joni Harris (2/26/13); and son-in-law Tim Harris (12/8/13).
The family extends special thanks to dear friend and caretaker Mary Woody and companion dog Max. Also, to the dedicated staff of Unity Point Hospice and St. Francis Manor & Seeland Park for their care and compassion towards the end of Junior's earthly life.
A place especially close to Junior's heart, please consider a memorial monetary or vehicle donation to SheepGate: Teen Challenge of the Midlands, 900 North League Road, Colfax, IA, 50054. Visit www.mysheepgate.org
Donations will also be appreciated to Unity Point Hospice-Grinnell and may be mailed to 704 Industrial Ave., Suite 101, Grinnell, IA 50112, 641-236-0400.
Cards for the family may be mailed to daughter Laura Poole, 1910 Spring Street, Grinnell, IA 50112.