Martha Lucille (McNeely) Turner, 98, of Rising Sun, IN, passed away on Friday, April 12th, 2024, at the Ridgewood Health Campus in Lawrenceburg, IN.
Martha was born in Salem, IN on September 19, 1925, the youngest daughter of the late L. Faye (Swift) McNeely and William McNeely. Martha grew up in the Salem area and attended school there; she went to a one-room middle school and then graduated at the top of her Salem High School class at the age of 15. Martha married Roy O. Turner on June 21, 1953, at the Zion Methodist Church in Salem. Martha and Roy were married over 45 years until his passing on August 17, 1998. Early in life Martha worked in accounting for department stores. After her and Roy’s marriage, she managed all the bookkeeping duties for Turner Farms and for their home-building and other business ventures.
Martha was blessed with a long and productive life. She was very active in the Rising Sun community. Martha was a member of the Phi Beta Psi Sorority, the Ohio County Public Library Board, and the Council on Aging. She was also a former Boys’ and Girls’ Scout Leader. Martha was a faithful and devoted member of the Rising Sun Methodist Church. Martha had many hobbies and interests. She enjoyed the outdoors, especially gardening and fishing (many a visitor to Roy’s office asked if he had caught the enormous Northern Pike mounted on the wall – he would cheerfully say “No, Martha caught that one.”). She took great pleasure in watercolor painting, reading, sewing, and playing the mandolin. She also wrote poetry. Martha made the best sugar cookies and fudge and delighted her youngest family members by espousing the positive health effects of dark chocolate. Spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren filled her heart with joy. Martha was known for her kind and compassionate nature and will be deeply missed by her family and the Ohio County community.
Martha is survived by her daughter, Marilyn Fox and husband Sam, of Rising Sun, IN; by her son, Wayne Turner and wife Karen, of Indianapolis, IN; by her grandchildren: Molly Loyer (Ken), Amy Rogier (Eric), Clay Turner (Erica), Ryan Fox (Krista), Adam Fox (Abby), Ashley Fox, Carly Berry (Kyle) and Neely Turner; by her great grandchildren: Annie and Zeke Loyer, Larry, Mary Kate, James and Robert Rogier, Moses, Abra Le and Joseph “Jozy” Turner, Benaiah, Rebekah and Katherine Fox, and Adler and Ainsley Fox. Martha was preceded in death by her parents, William and Faye McNeely; by her husband, Roy O. Turner; by her son, Dr. Larry W. Turner in 2006; by her brother, Ray McNeely and by her sister, Dorothy Souder.
Funeral services will be 1:00 PM, Friday, April 19th, 2024, at Markland Funeral Home in Rising Sun, with Eldon Fancher officiating. Public Visitation will be held 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Friday, April 19th at Markland Funeral Home. A private family burial will follow at the Rising Sun New Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Rising Sun Methodist Church or Ohio County Public Library.
marklandfuneralhome.com