Harold E. Turvey, 89, of Taylorville passed away Friday, April 13, 2012 at Taylorville Memorial Hospital. He was born September 18, 1922 in Taylorville, the son of Charles Nelson and Mable Lockhart Turvey. On May 29, 1948 he married Mary Eleanor Fungerburk at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Taylorville. Harold along with his twin brother Harry enlisted in the Army Air Corps on September 23, 1940, five days after their 18th birthday. Harold served in Puerto Rico, Panama Canal Zone, Guatemala, Galapagos Island, and Italy. He was a Master Sergeant in the 747th Bomb Squadron, 456th Bomb Group, and Serving as a Crew Chief of a B-24 Heavy Bomber.
After discharge from the military he attended Beloit College where he played football under coach Dolph Stanley, Harold held the position of Industrial Relations Manager at the Hopper Paper Company, later Georgia Pacific, where he was employed from 1949 until 1980. He then became manager of plaza Rental Properties in December of 1980, retiring in 1996.
Harold was active in the community and volunteered in numerous Civic and charitable organizations including The School of Light for Mentally Handicapped Children, The American Cancer Society, The United Way, The Chamber of Commerce, The Oak Hill Cemetery Board, The Knights of Columbus, and a Charter Member of the Taylorville Optimist Club. He was also a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years, Eleanor, and three sons: Hal Turvey, wife Jannis, of Taylorville, Mark Turvey, wife Lori, of Bolingbrook, and John Turvey, wife Jenny of Taylorville; Seven grandchildren: Dana Turvey, Daivd Turvey, Amy Turvey, Rachel Turvey, Hannah Turvey, Nathaniel and Eugene Turvey, wife Rose; Several nephews, nieces, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, daughter: Ann Turvey Wells; granddaughter: Cassandra Wells; sister: Darlene Turvey Wilkie; brothers: Everett Turvey, Charles Turvey, Carl Turvey, Raymond Turvey, and Dale Turvey.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday April 17th, 2012 at 12 noon at St. Mary’s Catholic in Taylorville with Father Alan hunter officiating. Visitation will be held Monday from 5 until 7pm at McClure Funeral Home with a prayer service at 4:45pm. Burial with military honors will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Taylorville.
McClure Funeral home, Taylorville is handling arrangements. Condolences may be left online at www.mcclurefuneralhome.com
