Francis E. Turner

Francis E. Turner, 88, Savannah , Missouri passed from this life Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at LaVerna Village Nursing Home, Savannah , Missouri . He was born April 14, 1924 to William Ray and Maymie (Ramsey) Turner.  Francis was a life long resident of the Fillmore area and graduated from Fillmore High School in 1942.

From 1945 – 1946 He served in the United States Army Infantry and Medical Corp. After being honorably discharged from the Army Francis returned to Northwest Missouri and in 1953 graduated from NWMSU. In November of 1954 he was elected Andrew County Clerk and served the Citizens of Andrew County as clerk for 32 Years retiring in 1986.

After retiring from the courthouse Francis continued to serve the residents of Northwest Missouri as a local records analyst for then Secretary of State, Roy Blunt. He also served on various Senior Citizen boards and represented Andrew County in the Silver Haired Legislature. On June 14, 1958 Francis married Mary Ann Oligschlaeger in Savannah , Missouri .

The Turners happily celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June of 2008. Mary Ann preceded him in death on February 23, 2011. In 1981 Francis and Mary Ann along with his sister Nanetta and her husband Warren Carter opened Turn-A-Corner Country Store south of Fillmore, which served as a hub for the Fillmore Community until 1998 when the couples retired from operating the store. Francis was an avid softball player, a fan and supporter of his sister playing softball and coaching the Women’s CT Softball Team.

He had a passion for politics, farming, gardening and mushroom hunting. Francis supplied a lot of vegetables to the folks in Andrew County . Francis was a dedicated member of the Dick Munkres American Legion Post # 287, Savannah , Missouri , VFW Posts in Fillmore and Oregon . He also belonged to the 40 and 8 in St. Joseph , Missouri , Lincoln Lodge, Fillmore and Northwest Missouri Republican Club. Left to cherish his memory are his sister, Nanetta Carter; cousin, Dorothy Cowger, all of Savannah, Missouri; numerous second cousins; sister-in-law, Evelyn Buschjost and husband Butch, all of St. Thomas, Missouri; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Celebration of Life: 1:30 PM Saturday, February 2, 2013 at Breit-Hawkins and Gladden Funeral Home, Savannah , Missouri . Interment in Fillmore , Missouri Cemetery.  Public visitation and family receiving hours 5 to 8 PM Friday.

Memorials are suggested to Andrew County Senior Citizens Center , Missouri Association of County Clerks Election Authorities Scholarship Fund, or charity of the donor’s choice.