John "Jack" Turpin's Obituary
John "Jack" Turpin, of Pinckneyville, IL, passed away peacefully, with family and friends by his side, on Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 11:21 a.m., in Pinckneyville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Pinckneyville, IL. He had attained the age of 90 years, 8 months, and 27 days.
Jack was born on May 3, 1934 in Bloomington, IL, a son to Lawrence and Gertrude "Trudy" (Byerly) Turpin. On June 27, 1981, he was united in marriage to Fern (Klingenberg) Spenner at the United Church of Christ, Nashville, IL and she survives his passing. Jack was a member of the First Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, IL.
Jack honorably served his country in the United States Marine Corps from 1954 until 1956.
He earned a Bachelor of Science Industrial Management Degree at the University of Akron, Akron, OH. During his time there he even built a blast furnace. He was always soft-spoken, intelligent, and labored diligently to work his way up in the world. From 1959 until 1972, he worked for General Telephone Company, Bloomington, IL as a communications consultant, office manager, trainer, and residential salesperson. In 1961, Jack earned his real estate license and in 1972, he became a real estate broker involved not only in sales but also remodeling and restoring residential and commercial property. In 1976, Jack went on to a job with Bloomington Federal Savings and Loan, Bloomington, IL as a building engineer. From there, he worked at Occupational Development Center, Bloomington, IL. Jack continued his education as a full-time student at Kaskaskia College in 2003 and 2004 earning an Associate's Degree in Applied Science where he was honored with a Recognition of Academic Excellence Award and named on the Presidential List. In 2007, he was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. Jack was very much instrumental in reestablishing The Pinckneyville Senior Citizen Club Incorporated.
Jack loved playing golf. In 1967, he was included in a golf recognition article and in 1988 he was a full-time employee of the Professional Golfers' Association of America at Forest Hills Country Club, Clarkson Valley, MO. In March 1982, Jack started his journey with sobriety. He was a very proud, active and avid member of Alcoholics Anonymous. For 3 years, he supported AA in the prison system and received special recognition of excellence for participating in the group meetings at Centralia Correctional Center. In 1989, he earned a black belt and Certificate of Martial Arts. In 1995, he initiated the Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, Bloomington, IL. In 2016, he was awarded a Certificate of Acknowledgement and Appreciation of Contribution to the Children of Boys Town.
Left to mourn his passing is his loving wife of 43 years, Fern Turpin of Pinckneyville, IL; one son, Tom (Donna) Turpin of Chaffee, MO; one stepdaughter, June (Roy) Malone of Scottsboro, AL; one stepson, Chris (Tammy) Spenner of Noble, IL; one sister, Judy (Dick) Horth of St. Petersburg, FL; nine grandchildren, Ashley Fewell, Jake Turpin (Karissa), Matt Turpin (Sarah), Wil Malone, Madison Malone (Chris Hapstack), Christopher (Melissa) Spenner, Christan (Kaytlyn) Spenner, and Nicholas Spenner; nine great-grandchildren, Everly Mae and Maggie Faye Turpin, Christopher Luke Spenner, Meritt and Indie Spenner, Brayden Jean, Anderson Springer, Dominick Danbury, Maci and Wesley Prewitt; one niece, Julie Rothfeld of St. Petersburg, FL; and one nephew, Bob Horth.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Jim Turpin; and one great-grandson, Brycen Turpin.
Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, IL, on Friday, February 7, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Jeff Wagner and Reverend Jason Eisle officiating. Interment will be on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. in Funks Grove Cemetery, McLean, IL.
Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, IL on Thursday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., and again on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, IL or The Gathering, Coulterville, IL.
Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, IL has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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