Mr. Kenneth Wayne “Kenny” Turner, age 75, of Vevay, Indiana, entered this life on June 4, 1948 in Madison, Indiana. He was the son of the late Damon and Wilma Dean (Barnes) Turner. He was raised in Switzerland County and was a 1966 graduate of Vevay High School. During high school, Kenny played basketball and baseball and was vice president of his senior class. Kenny was a great baseball catcher and was headed for MBA pro but said they didn’t pay enough back then! Kenny’s humor always shined even when his health started declining. Kenny was inducted into the United States Army on April 3, 1968 in Louisville, Kentucky. He heroically served in the Vietnam War for 11 months and 28 days. He received the Purple Heart ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with device 60. He was transferred to the reserves on April 2, 1970 at Fort Carson, Colorado. Kenny was honorably discharged on April 2, 1974 with the rank of Specialist 4th Class. In 1966, Kenny was employed for Reliance Electric Company in Madison, Indiana, retiring in 2007 after 41 years of service. In 1980, Kenny met the love of his life, Regenia Lea Lyons and the rest was history! Kenny and Regenia tied the knot on June 30, 1990 in Warsaw, Kentucky. He often said he had no choice because Regenia proposed to him! Kenny was a lifetime member of the Vevay American Legion Post #185 and the Vevay VFW Post #5396 where you would often find him. He was also a member of the Switzerland Masonic Lodge No.122 F&AM. Kenny had several nicknames such as, KT, Tubby, Ace, and Captain Ken from his friends and you bet he had nicknames for them too. He loved a good round of golf and having a good time socializing with his friends. He loved watching IU basketball and the Cincinnati Bengals. Kenny loved cruising around town in his ’89 Ford Festiva and often times stopping to have a cold one before heading back home to his fur babies and faithful wife. Kenny was of the Baptist faith and was a proud Vietnam Veteran who truly loved his country. He had a great appreciation for the military and was very patriotic. In the last several years when Kenny’s health started to decline, Regenia faithfully tended to his care and every need while listening to his many embellishments and his witty remarks. Kenny passed away at 1:05 a.m., Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at his residence.
Kenny will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Regenia Lea (Lyons) Turner of Vevay, IN; his sister-in-law, Popsie Smith of Madison, IN; his close friend that was like a son, Charles Lorch and his wife, Kari of Rosemount, MN and their children, Sarah, Travis and Jamie; his nephews, John Craigmyle of Madison, IN and Clinton Smith of Madison, IN; his cousins, Martha (Barnes) Smith and her husband, Clair, Phil Lock, Nancy Hertz and James Gibson and his furry faithful companions, Brandie and Stella.
He was preceded in death by his father, Damon Turner, died October 20, 1989; his mother, Wilma Dean (Barnes) Turner, died January 13, 1989; his brother, Larry Gene Turner, died October 20, 2021; his nephew, Travis Smith, died December 24, 2022 and his faithful furry companion, Moosie, died October 30, 2015.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Friday, March 15, 2024, and from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home 208 Ferry Street Vevay, Indiana 47043. Masonic Services will be conducted at 7:00 p.m, Friday, March 15, 2024 at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., by Pastor Pat Lanman, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana 47043.
Interment and full military rites will be conducted by the Honor Guard of the Vevay American Legion Post #185 and the Vevay VFW Post #5396 in the Vevay Cemetery, Vevay, Indiana.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Norton King’s Daughters’ Hospital, Switzerland County Animal Shelter or Vevay American Legion Post #185 Building Fund. Cards are available at the funeral home or online at www.haskellandmorrison.com