Ronald Wayne Turk's Obituary
Ronald Wayne Turk, age 76, of Seymour, Iowa, died Monday, January 3, 2005, at Mercy Medical Center in Centerville, Iowa. He was born the son of the late Melvin and Icie (Reynolds) Turk on March 15, 1928 in Osceola, Iowa. Four children were born to this union: Earnest Eugene (died in infancy), Ronald, Donna Clara, and Beverly Lois. He attended country school in Ringgold, Wayne, and Appanoose Counties. After the birth of his sister, the family lived in Mt. Ayr, where Ronald rode Dolly, the pony, to country school. The family would later move to a farm west of Seymour and in the next year, they sold out and bought a farm south and east of Seymour. Ronald completed the elementary grades in Fairview School in Appanoose County. He started Seymour High School in the fall of 1943 before buses. In the fall of 1944, he drove a Model A car and picked up high school students on his way to school. During this same time, he raised popcorn and sold it to the school for the pop machine at ballgames, etc. High school graduation came in May of 1946 and Ronald immediately enlisted in the Army. He was shipped to Korea early in 1947 and spent the entire year there doing occupational duty. After his discharge, he took some college courses, attended GI school and went into faming with his dad. Ronald expanded their farming operation and established the Turk Supply Business. He and his 'pard,' Doyle Terry, had a corn shelling business and sold and erected steel bins.Ronald will be most remembered for the countless hours of volunteer work he performed. He was a 4-H leader for The Franklin Farmhands 4-H Club from 1951-2003, where he referred to his many 4-H members as 'my kids.' He was an elected Soil Conservation Commissioner and served for over 37 years. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Seymour, Iowa, and held offices. He played Santa Claus for community functions, nursing homes, schools, churches, and individual families. He helped develop the Van Terry Outdoor Living Classroom at the Wayne Community Schools. He was a world traveler, having been in 55 countries, and shared his videos and articles with organizations, schools, 4-H clubs, and families. He was also an anonymous giver of gifts and deeds. He also served as a mentor.Among the awards and recognition he received were 4-H leadership pins through the years. He was the recipient of the Appanoose County Youth Mentor Award given by the Commonwealth Foundation in 1998. In 1999, he received the USDA NRCS Award Print from the Appanoose Soil Commissioners for Outstanding Soil Conversation. In 2001, he received the Region 9 Outstanding Soil Conservation District Commissioner; the State Outstanding Soil Conservation District Commissioner; Appanoose County Fair Dedication in 2001 with the show arena being named The Ronald Turk Show Arena; 50 years of service to The Franklin Farmhands 4-H Club. In 2003, he was inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame at the State Fair.Ronald was preceded in death by: his parents; a brother in infancy, Earnest Eugene Turk; and nephews, Van Edwin Terry and Kyle Lloyd Cowan.He leaves to mourn his passing his two sisters: Donna Terry and her husband, Doyle, of Numa, Iowa; and Beverly Cowan and her husband, Lloyd, of Cincinnati, Iowa; nieces Kimberly Adams and her husband, Matt, of Lynnville, Iowa; and Sonja Terry of Arkansas City, Kansas; step nephews Larry Cowan and his wife, Karen; Gary Cowan and his wife, Bernadine; and Lyle Cowan and his wife, Betty, all of Centerville; step niece, Rose Mary Shadden, and her husband, Bob, of Mendota, Missouri; and great nieces, Katie and Kassidy Adams; and great nephew, Maverick Adams, of Lynnville, Iowa. He also leaves behind many cousins and friends.Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 10, 2005 at 10:00 A.M. at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Centerville, Iowa with Rev. Carl Heien officiating. Burial will follow at the Southlawn Cemetery in Seymour, Iowa. Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 9, 2005, from 1:00 till 8:00 P.M. at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Centerville, Iowa with the family present from 6:00 till 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home.Memorials can be made to The Ronald Turk Franklin Farmhand's Scholarships and may be left at or mailed to the To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ronald Wayne Turk please visit our Sympathy Store.
What’s your fondest memory of Ronald?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ronald?
Share a story where Ronald's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ronald you’ll never forget.
How did Ronald make you smile?