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Beverly Turner-Turk
ALTON
Beverly Turner-Turk, 64, died at 2:50 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4, 2005, at Eldercare of Alton. She was born on June 20, 1941, in Littleton, Illinois, the daughter of Harry A. and Edith (Neal) Turner.
She was formerly employed at the Henry the VIII Hotel in St. Louis as an executive housekeeper until her retirement. She attended the First Christian Church in Alton. She enjoyed making dolls.
Survivors include her mother, Edith Turner of Alton; her former husband, Herbert Tuck of Mendota, Illinois.; one son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Lori Turk of Sterling, Illinois; three grandchildren, Hannah Turk, Samuel Turk and Payton Turk; one brother and sister-in-law, Harry L. and Kathy Turner of Cottage Hills; a special niece, Lana Turner of Cottage Hills; a special great-nephew, Lee Tinnon of Cottage Hills; and many special aunts, uncles and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her father.
In accordance with her wishes, cremation rites will be accorded.
Pastor Jim Johnston will conduct memorial services at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the First Christian Church in Alton.
Memorials are suggested to BJC Hospice.
Elias-Smith Funeral Homes and Crematory in Alton is in charge of arrangements.
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Patricia Martin (West)
Beverly and I had been friends since we attended grade school at Clara Barton. Lost touch after my Mom moved. I attended St.Patrick's Grade School while Bev attended the public schools. We renewed our friendship in high school and once again became really close, sharing secrets, dreams, and laughter.We lost touch again since I married so young and was busy having babies. She moved to the Mendota area and was married to Herb Turk for over 15yrs. He was involved in politics. They had a son, Michael, who is a college coach in Champaign,Il.and with the help of his wife gave Bev three grandchildren who she was very proud of and looked forward to their visits.
She lived in Spring, Texas, for several years where she learned to make porcelain dolls. She was very talented in this art and has made several for me. I cherish them. She loved Elizabeth Taylor and knew everything about her.
While I was employed for Ill.Job Service and stationed at the reception desk, she came in to use our resources to find employment. She had moved back to Alton to help care for her elderly parents.
She had been an Office Manager, Accounting Manager, and an Executor Housekeeper up North, and when she moved back here she was an Executive Housekeeper for Henry VIII Hotel in St. Louis for nine years until they closed. Our friendship picked up where it left off and we were inseparable. We shopped, went to auctions, read books, ate at the Cracker Barrel, laughed till we cried, told secrets, and once again shared our disappointments and dreams. She was my longest, closest, dearest friend. She dubbed me Lucy, and she was Ethel.
She became ill and was diagnosed with lung cancer and a brain tumor.
We were always looking forward to retirement when we could travel, wear purple and red, act crazy, and live the good life. It didn't happen. Bev passed on November 4th, 2005. I lost my confidante, my longtime friend. I miss her so much. She was a classy lady.
I know someday we will meet again, wear purple and red, and laugh, laugh, laugh, until we cry, and really, truly, live the good life.