David Wilbert Turner Obituary

David Wilbert Turner, 88 years "young", left Kokomo for the heavenly mansion prepared for him on Saturday, October 22, 2022. He was born November 17, 1933, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Wilbert and Dorothy (Dabel) Turner. David received the gift of Holy Baptism and confessed his faith on March 30, 1947, at Concordia Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. On July 18, 1959, he married Diane D. Coddington, in Princeton, Illinois, with whom he enjoyed 63 years of marital bliss.

During his life, David displayed a strong work ethic. As a child, he dug dandelions from the family's yard for a penny a piece. When it was cleared of weeds, he moved on to a neighbor's yard. David's childhood work resume included delivering newspapers and caddying for golfers. During his high school years, he stocked shelves and sold produce in the neighborhood grocery store. Part time he changed oil, cleaned spark plugs, and pumped gasoline at his dad's automotive service station and garage. He found "lessons to be learned" from each activity.

David was blessed to attend a progressive high school and was encouraged to be the first to attend college from his family. BS and MS Engineering degrees were received from General Motors Institute and the University of Wisconsin respectively.

His schooling and experiences served him well in his 44-year career with General Motors. Work assignments in Milwaukee and Kokomo included both military and commercial endeavors, involving manufacturing support, product design, test equipment design and new business pursuits which led to sales administration roles, and domestic and international sales management positions. David claimed he never had a day he didn't enjoy going to work except for November 30, 1995, his last day on the job.

He was blessed with good health during 26 years of retirement. Activities ranged from umpiring little league baseball, coaching indoor floor hockey, playing tennis and golf, fishing, gardening, state side and international travel, church work in a variety of roles and offices, mission trips, yard maintenance, family visits, and in later years, writing pet biographical and a series of fictional novels.

Survivors include David's wife, Diane; their four children and spouses, Bradley C. Turner and Patty, Douglas D. Turner and Jean, Gregory N. Turner and Lori, and Cynthia J. Hill and John; brother-in-law and wife, Dr. Richard Coddington and Helen; six grandchildren, Ryan, Claire, Katerina, Jason, Lily and Ava; two great-grandchildren, Olivia and Everleigh; two nephews and two nieces, Robert, James, Sandra and Sharon Jaeger; and three special cousins, Albert Turner, Sue Boehlke and Kathleen Bethke.

Funeral services celebrating David's victory over death will be held at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, 705 Southway Blvd. East, Kokomo, with Pastor Carl Hingst officiating. Visitation with family and friends will occur from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesday at the church. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Mission Opportunities Short Term (MOST) or the Kokomo Humane Society. Arrangements have been entrusted to Shirley & Stout Funeral Home in Kokomo.