Charles S. Turner

Charles S. Turner was born in February 1871 in Farmington, Fayette County, PA, the son of George Washington and Mary Frances (White) Turner.

He was joined in marriage twice -- and successively with sisters Flora Hull (March 16, 1877-1953) and Grace Lee Hull (Oct. 25, 1882-1931), daughters of Isaac and Jane (Inks) Hull of Chalk Hill, Fayette County.

In all, he fathered 10 children with the two women.

Charles was a longtime farmer and resided near Chalk Hill, Fayette County. 

In 1895, when he was age 25, Charles eloped to marry his first wife, 18-year-old Flora Hull. They tied the knot at Cumberland, Allegany County, MD, where there was no waiting period for couples.

1st wife Flora

The couple's two children were Nancy Leonard and Robert M. Turner.

After a few years of marriage, and the births of their two children, he allegedly abandoned Flora and the family. She in turn filed for divorce, on the grounds of desertion. News of the legal proceeding was covered in the Connellsville Courier in late 1904 and early 1905. Attorney Leslie A. Howard was appointed master for Flora in the case. 

The divorce was secured, with Charles now residing in Belle Vernon, Fayette County. Imagine his reaction when, in 1908, his ex-wife cruelly married his widowed father. The scandal made headline news in the Connellsville newspapers.

Charles made his own twist of revenge when, at age 35, he married his ex-wife's sister, 23-year-old Grace Lee Hull (1882-1931) of Uniontown. The ceremony was held on May 6, 1905, with the couple uniting themselves in marriage. He and Grace were 14 years apart in age. 

Charles S. Turner

During their 26 years of marriage, the couple bore 10 more children of their own -- Pearl M. McCartney, Bessie Smith Sorells, Theodore Roosevelt "Teddy" Turner, Luella Thompson, Beulah Turner, Eugene Charles Turner, Hessie Irene "Essie" Turner, Cornelia F. Turner, Paul Turner and Ray Turner.

Grief descended upon the family when daughters Beulah (1910) and Hessie Irene (April 24, 1914) died in infancy. Hessie passed at the age of 24 due to malnutrition. The daughters' tender remains were lowered into eternal sleep in Leonard Cemetery.

Circa 1910, they resided along West Newton Road in Rostraver Township, Westmoreland County, PA, with Charles working as a farm laborer. Residing in their home that year were children Nancy and Robert from the first marriage and Pearl, Bessie, Theodore and Luella from the second marriage. Living next door were Charles' brother and sister in law, John P. and Lillian Turner. In 1914, their residence was Hopwood, Fayette County.

The Grim Reaper of Death visited the Turners in the spring of 1914, when baby daughter Essie Irene, just 24 days old, died of malnutrition on April 24, 1914. The baby's tender remains were interred in the Leonard Cemetery at Chalk Hill. The family later returned to Wharton Township.

Sadly, Grace was felled by a cerebral hemorrhage and quickly died at home on Oct. 20, 1931, just five days shy of her 49th birthday. She rests for eternity in the Leonard Cemetery, with her burial arrangements handled by the Edward E. Minerd Funeral Home of Uniontown.

Charles spent the bulk of his adult years earning a living as a lumberman.

Chalk Hill Lutheran Cemetery

Former wife Flora suffered from cardiac failure and passed away at the age of 76 on the day after Christmas 1953, at the home of granddaughter Mrs. Ralph Smalley at Coolspring, near Uniontown. She was laid to rest at the Lutheran Cemetery in Chalk Hill. At her death, the Courier gave the names of Flora's surviving children as Albert Turner of Perryopolis, Raymond Turner of Ohiopyle and Nancy Leonard of Dunbar. At the time, she had produced 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She also was survived by brother John Hull of Uniontown and sisters Sally Hann of Philadelphia, Prudence Swedeburg of San Francisco and Frances Grier of Washington State.

The widowed Charles lived in Uniontown, Fayette County during the 1950s with an address in 1957 of 170 Chestnut Street.

Burdened with hardening of the arteries, he was stricken with a cerebral hemorrhage and died at the age of 87 on April 6, 1957. Son Ray Turner signed the official certificate of death. Interment of the remains was in Leonard Cemetery.

~ Daughter Nancy Ellen "Nannie" (Turner) Leonard ~

Leonard Cemetery

Daughter Nancy Ellen "Nannie" Turner (1896-1982) was born in 1896 in Fayette County, the daughter of Charles and Flora

She married Edward Andrew Leonard (June 15, 1888-1938), son of John W. and Nancy Leonard.

Edward was considered a "member of a pioneer family at Kentuck," Fayette County. He also was known as "a lifelong resident of Kentuck and one of its most prosperous farmers." 

They had two sons -- Dale Leonard and Jay E. Leonard -- and attended the Union Church of Kentuck. 

Suffering from an infection of his left elbow, the limb was drained, but an abscess formed and developed into septic shock. Reported the Uniontown Morning Herald in the winter of 1938, Edward "had been in declining health since the first of the year." He died at the untimely age of 49 on Feb. 9, 1938. His passing "came as a shock to members of the family and residents of the community." Burial apparently was in Leonard Cemetery near the family home. 

Nancy outlived her husband by more than four decades, making her home in Dunbar, Fayette County. She had a special love for her younger half-brother, Apostle "Paul" Turner, and was listed as his next of kin on his World War II draft card.

She died in November 1982, at the age of 86.

Son Dale Leonard ( ? - ? )

Son Jay E. Leonard (1920-1984) was born on Oct. 3, 1920. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. On Jan. 28, 1984, he died at the age of 63. The remains were lowered under the sod of Leonard Cemetery.

~ Son Robert M. Turner ~

Son Robert M. Turner (1898-1946) was born on May 31, 1898 in Stewart Township, Fayette County, the son of Charles and Flora.

On April 15, 1922, when he was about 22 years of age, he married 17-year-old Mabel Weimer (1905- ? ), believed to have been the daughter of Thomas F. and Buena (Matlick) Weimer.

Obituary, 1946

The Turners were the parents of one daughter, Betty J. Guthrie.

Federal census records for 1930 show the Turners in Wharton Township, Fayette County, with Robert employed as a truck driver. His 21-year-old sister in law Grace Sullivan and her young daughter Buena B. Sullivan lived in the household that year.

Later, the Turners relocated to Uniontown, with an address of 105 Chestnut Street. Robert earned a living as a laborer in a radiator plant.

Robert was diagnosed with silicosis -- disease of the lungs caused by breathing glass particles -- and was admitted to Uniontown Hospital. Also borne with heart disease, he died at the age of 47 on April 17, 1946. The funeral was led by Rev. John W. Dittmar, held in the home of Robert's sister Pearl McCartney in Uniontown. His place of burial is the Leonard Cemetery.

The widowed Mabel remained in Uniontown for many years and spent her winters in St. Petersburg, FL.

Daughter Betty J. Turner (1924- ? ) was born in about 1924 in Fayette County. She wedded Russell V. Guthrie ( ? -1964), son of Edna Roush. They were the parents of three sons -- John Russell Guthrie, Robert L. Guthrie and James Guthrie. The Guthries' address in 1959 was on Murray Avenue in Uniontown and in 1964 along the Jumonville Road. The family belonged to the Central Christian Church. Russell served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II. He went on in 1948 to become employied as a police officer in Uniontown and remained for the rest of his life, considered a "veteran." He belonged to the Fraternal Order of Police. Without warning, he died at home at the age of 42 on Nov. 16, 1964. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Minerd Funeral Home, with Rev. Dr. Earl P. Confer preaching the funeral sermon. An obituary was published in the Uniontown Evening Standard.

• Grandson John Russell Guthrie ( ? - ? ) was born in about 1945. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1962 during the Vietnam War. After completing his service, he resided in Uniontown in 1964. He married Johnetta Squirek ( ? - ? ), daughter of John Squirek of Uniontown. The couple bore at least one daughter, Kathleen Dawn Guthrie.

• Grandson Robert L. Guthrie served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and trained at Fort Monmouth, NJ.

• Grandson James Guthrie grew up in Uniontown.

~ Daughter Pearl M. (Turner) McCartney ~

Daughter Pearl Edna Turner (1902-1992) was born in 1902. 

She wed Benjamin A. "Ben" McCartney ( ? -1969), son of Isaac Wilson and Alice (Cookman) McCartney.

Two known sons were born to this union, James Willard McCartney Sr. and Arthur I. McCartney.

Benjamin was employed for 37 years at the Richmond Radiator plant. Active with the Christ United Methodist Church board of directors, he served as treasurer for 25 years and as a member of the finance committee. He also regularlya ttended the Leland Bible Class. Socially, he was a member of the Nathan Lewis Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Waltersburg.

Their residence was at 170 Chestnut Street in Uniontown.

At the age of 63, Benjamin passed into eternity in Uniontown Hospital on April 19, 1969. An obituary in the Uniontown Morning Herald said that he was survived by a dozen grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Interment of the remains was in LaFayette Memorial Park, following a funeral held in the family church co-officiated by Rev. Robert Borden, Rev. Floyd McFarland and Rev. Alden Sproll.

Pearl resided in Uniontown circa 1970. 

She passed away in July 1992 at the age of 90.

• Grandson James Willard McCartney Jr. (1942- ? ) was born in late 1942. He was pictured in the Uniontown Evening Standard in July 1943, at the age of nine months, after visiting with his father at Fort Fisher, NC. He spent part of his childhood living with his grandmother Pansy Miller after his parents' marriage dissolved. At the age of about 24, on Aug. 19, 1967, he was united in matrimony with Ruth Eileen ( ? - ? ). The wedding took place in Oakland, MD. The two children they produced together were Michael James McCartney and Cynthia Elise McCartney. During the Vietnam War, James joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He then spent a number of years working closely with his stepfather Kenneth Clark Sherman in the family-owned Sherman Pin Setters and Pin Company of Gambrills, MD. In 1971, James petitioned Anne Arundel County Court for a legal name change to "Sherman," but apparently the matter was not resolved. Circa 1989, using the name "McCartney," the family made a home in Oakland, MD. 

• Grandson Benjamin McCartney

• Grandson Gary McCartney

• Grandson Jeffrey McCartney

• Granddaughter Sally McCartney

• Grandson Kevin McCartney

Son Arthur I. McCartney (1929-2004) was born on July 4, 1929. Upon graduation from high school, he found a job with the Pittsburgh Paint and Glass store in Uniontown. At the age of 21, in July 51, he joined the U.S. Army as part of the Korean War effort. He was sent overseas and based in England. Arthur married Virginia L. Edenfield (Sept. 20, 1930-2016), daughter of Edward and Minnie (Show) Edenfield. Their marital union endured for 52 years. The couple went on to become the parents of Benjamin A. McCartney, Terry O. McCartney, Rebecca Myers, Deborah L. Hennessey, Karen L. Mulac and Keith E. McCartney. The family dwelled in Vanderbilt, Fayette County circa 1969 and were members of the Vanderbilt Church of the Nazarene and later the Uniontown Church of the Nazarene. Arthur was employed for 32 years with Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation. Over the years, Virginia earned a living as a Bell Telephone operator and as a bus and van driver. Her great enjoyment was to watch butterflies and hummingbirds. Sadly, Arthur died at home at the age of 74 on March 15, 2004. Rev. Howard Foust officiated at the funeral, with burial of the remains in Green Ridge Memorial Park. In an obituary in the Greensburg Tribune-Review, the family asked that any memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society. Virginia outlived her husband by a dozen years. She passed away at the age of 86 on Nov. 20, 2016. Rev. Pastor Lyons led the funeral service, with interment in Green Ridge Memorial Park.

• Benjamin McCartney Courtesy Joe McKnight

  Grandson Benjamin A. McCartney ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). He was among a large number of extended Minerd-Minard-Miner-Minor offspring who were graduates of the Connellsville Area High School Class of 1972. He joined the U.S. Air Force in December 1974. He trained in jet engine mechanics at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois, with a specialty in inspecting and repairing turbojet and gas turbine engines. He was assigned to Luke Air Force Base in Arizona in 1975. He was residing in Somerset, PA in 2004 and still living circa 2016.

• Grandson Terry O. McCartney was joined in marriage with Judy. They dwelled in Connellsville.

• Granddaughter Rebecca McCartney ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). As a young woman, she was employed by Vanderbilt Borough as a clerk. On Oct. 4, 1975, she married Daniel Myers, son of William B. Myers of 604 Market Street in Scottdale. The nuptials were led by Rev. Edward Thornton in the Vanderbilt Church of the Nazarene. Reported the Uniontown Morning Herald, Rebecca "wore a white floor length gown of peau silk with a high neckline, long tapered sleeves, A-line skirt ending in a train. The neckline, bodice and sleeves were trimmed with imported Chantilly lace and pearls. A deep ruffle of Chantilly lace edged the hemling and train." At the time, Daniel worked as head clerk with Acme Markets in Penn Hills. The couple bore two children, Jason Myers and John Myers. Their home in 2004 was in Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County.

• Granddaughter Deborah L. McCartney wedded Daniel Hennessey. The couple were the parents of Erin Hennessey and Brianne Hennessey. They lived in Scottdale circa 2004.

• Granddaughter Karen L. McCartney married Joseph Mulac. They put down roots in Connellsville. Two children were born to this union -- Nicole Mulac and Ryan Mulac.

• Grandson Keith E. McCartney was united in wedlock with Heidi. They resided in Uniontown.

~ Daughter Bessie (Turner) Smith Sorrels ~

Daughter Bessie Turner (1905-1987) was born on Jan. 31, 1905.

Apparently she was married twice. At the age of 18, in about 1923, she wedded her first husband, 20-year-old Rome Smith (1902- ? ).

The four offspring known to have been born to this union were Marjorie L. Masciarelli, Nora V. Early, Maxine D. Rice and Orville E. "Smitty" Smith.

When the federal census was taken in 1930, the Smiths resided next door to her married brother Robert and just a few houses away from Bessie's parents in Wharton Township, Fayette County. His occupation that year was providing "help" for a truck business. They were in Dunbar, Fayette County in 1936 at the birth of their youngest child.

The couple divorced. Circa 1946, using the name "Smith," Bessie lived in Clairton, Allegheny County, PA.

Her second spouse, by 1956, was Dewey Sorrels ( ? - ? ), also spelled "Sorells."

She made her residence in Washington, DC in 1956-1970, where her adult offspring Nora Viola Early and Orville E. Smith lived. Her final years were spent in Mount Airy, Frederick County, MD.

Bessie passed away on Nov. 10, 1987 at the age of 82. Her remains were transported back to Fayette County to rest for all time in the Leonard Cemetery.

Former husband Rome Smith remained in Uniontown and was there in 1964. Nothing more about him is known.

Honor Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Daughter Margaret Ellen Smith (1923-1991) -- also known incorrectly at times as "Marjorie" -- was born on Sept. 27, 1923 in Chalk Hill, Fayette County. She was joined in wedlock with Albert Joseph Masciarelli Sr. (Dec. 8, 1916-1980) of Dunbar Township, Fayette County and the son of Emidio and Camilla Masciarelli. He stood 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighed 150 lbs. The known children born to the couple were Linda Lou Masciarelli, Therese Muncy, Rosemary Runyon, Carmella Simmons, Sheila Masciarelli and Albert Joseph Masciarelli Jr. Albert is thought to have served in the U.S. Army and, in February 1941, had the distinctive honor of serving among a dozen soldiers providing 24-hour-a-day guard duty at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. When our nation was plunged into World War II, he continued his military service until discharge on June 15, 1942. The family dwelled for years in Lorain and Elyria, OH. They were members of St. Agnes Catholic Church in Elyria, and she held a membership in the American Legion Auxiliary. Albert died in Lorain on Aug. 4, 1980. Margaret survived for another 11 years and toward the end went to live with a daughter in Amherst, OH. She slipped away into eternity in May 1991. Her funeral mass was sung by Rev. Charles Ryba at the family church. An obituary in the Elyria Chronicle Telegram said that the count of her survivors was 15 grandchildren. Their remains rest together in Saint Mary Cemetery in Elyria.

• Grandson Albert Joseph "Joe" Masciarelli Jr. (1946-2019) was born on Nov. 24, 1946 in Uniontown, Fayette County. He lived in Elyria for decades. He was the father of Jolynne Hower and Holly Slepko. He earned a living through his work in maintenance for Mack Industries. An owner of a Harley Davidson motorcycle, he was "a free spirit, life of the party, traveled the country," said an obituary. Sadly, at the age of 72, Joe died in Cleveland Clinic on July 7, 2019.

• Granddaughter Linda Lou Masciarelli (1948-1999) was born on July 12, 1948. She married Charles E. "Chuck" Brubaker Jr. (May 16, 1947-2011), son of Charles E. and Doris Marie (Riser) Brubaker Sr. of Dunbar, Fayette County. The Brubakers bore a family of four children -- Mark Brubaker, Steven Brubaker, Jennifer Pelfrey and Jeanette St. Clair. During the Vietnam War, Charles served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army. The family made a home in Elyria, OH, and Charles was employed by Sunrise Medical in Avon Lake. He also was a member of the American Legion and Amvets and he liked to fish, listen to music and watch sports. They grieved at the early death of son Steven in 1973. Sadly, Linda Lou died in Elyria at the age of 50 on May 25, 1999. Her remains are in eternal repose in Brookdale Cemetery in Elyria. Charles lived for another dozen years in Elyria. He succumbed to death at age 63 on April 20, 2011.

• Granddaughter Therese Masciarelli ( ? - ? ) wedded (?) Muncy. She dwelled in Amherst, OH.

• Granddaughter Rosemary Masciarelli ( ? - ? ) was united in matrimony with (?) Runyon. She resided in North Carolina.

• Granddaughter Carmella Masciarelli ( ? - ? ) was joined in wedlock with (?) Simmons. In 1991, she was in Elyria.

• Granddaughter Sheila Masciarelli ( ? - ? ) first married John Marcum. She maintained a residence in Elyria. In time she married again to David Suleski ( ? - ? ), son of Edward and Faye Suleski. She was the mother of Cierra Suleski, John Suleski and Michelle Jones. Their daughter Cierra earned income as an assembler for Ford Motor Company and was the mother of Lucille Katherine Dodson. Sadly, Cierra passed away on April 4, 2018, and her remains were laid to rest in Maple Grove Cemetery in Vermilion, OH.

Leonard Cemetery. Courtesy Caine Luckey

Daughter Nora Viola Smith (1924-2009) was born on Oct. 2, 1924 in or near Chalk Hill, Fayette County. She was united in matrimony with Clyde L. Early (1916-1983) of Ohiopyle, Fayette County. Clyde served as a private with the U.S. Army during World War II. They resided in the Lemont Furnace community of Uniontown in the 1940s. Eventually, the family migrated to Washington, DC and were there in 1963. Offspring born to this union were Juanita Joan Craigie and Blane R. Early. Sadly, Clyde died in 1983. His remains were laid to rest in the Leonard Cemetery in Fayette County. Nora outlived Clyde by more than a quarter of a century. In 1991, she dwelled in Maryland. In later years she relocated to Murrells Inlet, SC to be near her two adult children. She succumbed to death on Sept. 25, 2009. Her body was shipped back to Fayette County to join her spouse in the sleep of eternity at Leonard Cemetery.

• Granddaughter Juanita Joan Early (1944-2010) was born on Jan. 15, 1944 in Uniontown, Fayette County. She married George Seater Craigie (March 18, 1939-2010). The couple produced a family of three -- Scott Seater Craigie, Jeffrey Allan Craigie and Hope Valerie Aldridge. George served in the U.S. Navy for many years, and in 1963 was deployed to Hollylock, Scotland aboard the USS Hunley. The Craigies resided in Murrells Inlet, SC circa 2010. Sadly, the couple died only two-and-a-half months apart. George died first, on Jan. 5, 2010. Then at the age of 66, the widowed Juanita passed away at home on March 20, 2010. Father Ronald E. Greiser Jr. officiated her funeral service, and an obituary appeared in the Myrtle Beach Sun-News.

• Grandson Blane R. Early ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). He wedded Rosemary Johnson ( ? - ? ), daughter of James "Ollie" and Josephine Johnson. In 1963, he was employed by Heide Baker in Silver Spring, MD. They made their home circa 2010 in Murrells Inlet, SC.

Daughter Maxine D. Smith (1929-1964) was born in 1929 in or near Wharton Furnace, Fayette County. She married Fred Rice ( ? - ? ). He had been married previously and brought a son to the second union, Daniel Rice. The couple bore a son of their own, Gregory Rice. Maxine was a member of the Chalk Hill Methodist Church.The Rices relocated to Garfield Heights near Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH. Circa the early 1960s, their address was 4676 Beech Grove Road. Sadly, at the age of 34, her health plummeted, and Maxine was admitted to Marymont Hospital in Cleveland. She passed away there on Dec. 16, 1964. The body was shipped back to Fayette County so that interment of the remains could be in Leonard Cemetery, and an obituary was printed in her hometown newspaper, the Uniontown Evening Standard.

• Stepson Daniel Rice

• Son Gregory Rice

Son Orville E. "Smitty" Smith (1936-2011) was born on Aug. 1, 1936 in Dunbar, Fayette County. He relocated to the District of Columbia as a young man, where he had obtained employment with G.C. Murphy Company. On May 21, 1956, he wedded his first wife, Barbara Ann Fox ( ? - ? ), daughter of Rafford Winaught of Lemont Furnace. Rev. Earl P. Confer officiated the nuptials, held at the Central Christian Church. News of the marriage was announced in the Uniontown Evening Standard, which reported that Barbara Ann "chose an ankle-length gown of lace with skull-cap headdress and brief face-veil. Her bouquet was of baby carnations and streamers." Prior to marriage, she had worked for Rockwell Meters Inc. The Smiths put down roots in the District of Columbia and were there in 1964. The Smiths were the parents of three daughters -- Marcia Rae Gaydos, Carol Constable and Sharon Boggs. Orville eventually joined the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, MD and retired from the position. In his free time, he played a mandolin, enjoyed bluegrass music, attended car shows and focused on Corvettes. He also was a fan of the Washington Redskins football team. He dwelled in West Virginia in 1991. Orville and Barbara divorced. She went on to marry again to John Joseph DiMatteo Sr. and Bruce Franke. Orville also proceeded to marry again to Shirley Earnest ( ? - ? ). In later years, Orville and Shirley relocated to Chambersburg, Franklin County, PA. At the age of 75, Orville died at home on Oct. 22, 2011. An obituary in the Chambersburg Public Opinion said that he was survived by 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. The funeral service was held in Chambersburg, led by Pastor Timothy Wheeler.

• Granddaughter Marcia Rae Smith ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). In November 1974, she married James T. Gaydos ( ? - ? ), son of Michael Gaydos. The wedding was held at St. John's Greek Catholic Church, and the news of the marriage was published along with Marcia's photograph in the Uniontown Evening Standard. At the time of marriage, James was stationed at Mercury in Nevada with the U.S. Army. Their home in 2011 was in Uniontown, Fayette County.

• Granddaughter Carol Smith wedded James Constable. They resided in New Salem/Footedale near Uniontown in 2011.

• Granddaughter Sharon Jean "Sherry" Smith was joined in marriage with (?) Boggs. She dwelled in Uniontown.

~ Son Theodore Roosevelt "Ted" Turner ~

Son Theodore Roosevelt "Ted" Turner (1907-1970) was born in 1907.

He was united in wedlock with Violet Klink (Feb. 17, 1907-1953), the daughter of Andrew and Iva (Hall) Klink.

The Turners produced five children -- Frances Fotta, Beatrice Chidester, Elizabeth Golcher, Edward Andrew Turner and Theodore E. Turner.

Theodore earned a living circa 1940 as a sand blaster in a radiator manufacturing company in the Uniontown area.

They resided in the Lemont Furnace community near Uniontown for many years. They were members of the Uniontown Free Methodist Church.

The family was plunged into grieving when the 46-year-old Violet suffered a fatal heart attack on Sept. 17, 1953. Interment was in Leonard Cemetery, and Rev. D.W. Harris officiated. An obituary was printed in the Uniontown Morning Herald.

As a widower, in 1964, Theodore moved to nearby Belle Vernon, Fayette County, at 101 Plainview Street.

He appears to have married again to Viola (Moreland) Kitzmiller ( ? - ? ), the daughter of Wheeler M. and Victoria Leah Moreland of Belle Vernon. Viola brought two sons to the marriage -- Lorrain Kitzmiller and Claude Kitzmiller.

The couple dwelled in Uniontown.

Ted died at the age of 53 on Oct. 18, 1970, as a patient in Charleroi-Monessen Hospital. His remains were buried next to Violet's in Leonard Cemetery. At the time, he was survived by 20 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Daughter Frances V. Turner (1927- ? ) was born in about 1927. She wed Abraham Fotta ( ? - ? ). Their home in 1953-1970 was in Uniontown.

Daughter Beatrice Turner (1929- ? ) was born in about 1929. She married Joseph Chidester ( ? - ? ). Circa 1953-1970, the couple resided in Uniontown. Their known offspring were Joseph Chidester, Cynthia Sue Chidester and Georgia Lynn Chidester.

• Grandson Joseph Chidester (1952- ? ) was born in about 1952.

• Granddaughter Cynthia Sue Chidester

• Granddaughter Georgia Lynn Chidester (1967?- ? ) was born in about 1967.

Daughter Elizabeth Turner (1931- ? ) was born in about 1931. She was united in wedlock with George Golcher ( ? - ? ). They were in Cleveland, OH in 1953 and relocated back to Uniontown by 1970.

Son Edward Andrew Turner (1933- ? ) was born in about 1933. At the age of 14, on May 31, 1947, while trespassing on the right-of-way of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, he was severely injured, and his left foot had to be amputated. The family sued the B&O and settled when the B&O agreed to pay $1,000 in damages. Edward was in Lemont Furnace in 1953. He later relocated to Glassboro, NJ.

Son Theodore E. Turner (1935- ? ) was born in about 1935. He established a residence in Cleveland, OH circa 1953 and later by 1970 in Kent, OH.

Stepson Lorrain Kitzmiller ( ? - ? ) put down roots in Belle Vernon, PA.

Stepson Claude Kitzmiller ( ? - ? ) held the rank of sergeant in the U.S. Army and was posted to Korea circa 1970.

Sunset View Cemetery

~ Daughter Luella "Lulu" (Turner) Thompson ~

Daughter Luella "Lulu" Turner (1908-1958) was born on Feb. 15, 1908 in Chalk Hill, Fayette County, the daughter of Charles and Grace.

She married James Thompson (1906-1994).

They resided on the Chalk Hill-Ohiopyle Road near Uniontown. 

The Thompsons produced three children -- Viola King, Hazel Celender and James Roy Thompson.

Federal census enumeration records for 1940 show the family residing in Wharton Township, Fayette County, with James laboring in a local sawmill. They attended the Chalk Hill Methodist Church. 

Luella developed cancer of the left breast. Grief cascaded over the family when she passed away from its effects at the age of 49 on Feb. 3, 1958. She was interred in the Sunset View Cemetery in Chalk Hill following a funeral at the family church led by Rev. Priscilla Love.

James outlived his wife by 36 years. He died in 1994, and rests for eternity beside Luella.

Daughter Viola Thompson (1928-2012) was born on March 13, 1928. In 1946, she married a distant cousin, Ernest E. King (1925-2011), son of John T. and Bernadette (Baker) King of the family of Jacob and Marinda (Rankin) King. See the King biography for more.

Daughter Hazel Thompson (1930- ? ) was born in 1930. She wedded Samuel J. "Bobo" Celender (Nov. 29, 1921-1966) of Sharpsburg, PA and the son of James and Angela (Gallo) Celender. Children born to this marriage were Lou Ann Brown and James Celender. Samuel was a veteran of World War II. He worked in 1950 as manager of the Chalk Hill Hotel and then in 1958 as proprietor of the Farmer's Daughter Inn, formerly known as the Stone House Inn. Circa 1958, the family lived in Ohiopyle, and Hazel and Samuel were members of the Chalk Hill Methodist Church's Young Married Adult Class. Circa 1959, Hazel served as hospitality chairman for the Wharton Township Parent-Teacher Association and was pictured in a Uniontown Morning Herald story about the PTA's "Going Back to School" program. Samuel got into trouble in 1960 for allegedly serving alcoholic beverages to minors in a back room of the Buckhorn Inn on Saxonburg Boulevard near Pittsburgh. He then found a job as a clerk with K&K Lumber. Their home in the 1960s was in rural Ohiopyle. Sadly, suffering from a host of heart problems, Samuel was admitted to Uniontown Hospital and at the age of 45 passed away on New Year's Eve 1966. The funeral mass was sung at Madonna of Jerusalem Church in Sharpsburg, PA, with burial following in Sunset View Cemetery. A death notice in the Pittsburgh Press named his surviving siblings as Ann Cocco, Dolores Albert, Camille Pulman, Mafalda Pasquarella, Anthony Celender, Gerald Celender, Frank Celender and Rocco Celender.

• Granddaughter Lou Ann Celender ( ? - ? ) - In young womanhood she was employed in the U.S. Post office at Chalk Hill. On Aug. 3, 1974, she was joined in matrimony with Thomas Brown, son of Charles T. Brown of Greencastle, PA. Thomas earned a living at the time with McCracken Mobile Homes of Markleysburg, PA.

• Grandson James Celender ( ? - ? ) -

Son James Roy Thompson (1934- ? ) was born in about 1934. He was united in the bonds of marriage with Doris Irene Carr (June 27, 1927-2020), a native of Fairchance, Fayette County and the daughter of Walter R. and Mabel I. Carr. The family established a home in Fairchance, and their two sons were James Raymond "Butch" Thompson and Alan Earl Thompson. Doris was employed for a dozen years by Union Supply. In her free time she liked to bake, cook, crochet and play bingo, and she developed a reputation for her peanut butter fudge. In the community, she served in Fairchance as judge of elections and as a member of the election board. They were members of Trinity United Methodist Church, where Doris held the position of treasurer and was active with the Dorcas Class and sang in the choir. Doris died at the age of 92 on Feb. 13, 2020, bringing to a close their marital union which had endured for 63 years. Her survivors included five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Pastor Debra Lambert officiated the funeral service, with interment in Sunset View Cemetery in Chalk Hill.

• Grandson James Raymond "Butch" Thompson married Jean Roskovensky. They have dwelled in Fairchance.

• Grandson Alan Earl Thompson wedded Terri Hannan. They make a home in Smithfield.

Obituary, 1959

~ Son Eugene Charles Turner ~

Son Eugene Charles Turner (1911-1959) was born on June 15, 1911 in Wharton Furnace, Fayette County, PA, the son of Charles and Grace.

As an adult, he relocated to California and settled in San Diego County.

Eugene was united in the bonds of holy matrimony with Doris Gertrude (McAlduff) McLean (April 3, 1914-1980), a native of Boston, MA and believed to have been the daughter of Frederick Alfred and Mary Ann (McPhee) McAlduff.

Doris had been married previously and brought two daughters into the union, Doris Gertrude McLean and Claudia Yva McLean.

Eugene served as a chief gunner's mate with the U.S. Navy, and was a World War II veteran. He was stationed at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Kodiak, AK in 1941-1943 and on the USS Grayson DD 435 vessel in 1945-1946. In all, he garnered 22 years' of service prior to retirement on Dec. 1, 1958.

The Turners lived in Palm City, CA in 1952 at 714 10th Street, and in Imperial Beach, CA, in 1959 at 680 Seventh Street

He only lived for about six months after he left military service. He died at the age of 46 on May 13, 1959. Burial of the remains was in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego.

An obituary with a photograph was published in Eugene's hometown newspapers, the Uniontown Evening Standard and the Uniontown Morning Herald.

Doris outlived her husband by more than two decades. She made her home during that time in San Diego. The Angel of Death swept her away at the age of 66 on Sept. 2, 1980. She rests beside her husband in Fort Rosecrans Cemetery.

Stepdaughter Doris Gertrude McLean ( ? - ? )

Stepdaughter Claudia Yva McLean ( ? - ? )

~ Daughter Cornelia F. Turner ~

Daughter Cornelia F. Turner (1915-1935) was born on Dec. 13, 1915 in Hopwood, Fayette County, the daughter of Charles and Grace.

She did not marry during her brief adult life.

Tragically, at the age of only 19, Cornelia developed an inflammation of the heart known as pancarditis. She endured the illness for four months and, after contracting blood clots in the lungs, succumbed to death on April 10, 1935.

Following funeral services held at the home of her married sister Pearl McCartney -- managed by the Minerd Funeral Home -- her remains were laid to rest in the Leonard Cemetery in Chalk Hill, near Uniontown. 

~ Son Apostle "Paul" Turner ~

Son Apostle "Paul" Turner (1917-1989) was born on Dec. 9, 1917 in Wharton Furnace, Fayette County.

He earned a living in young adulthood as a timber cutter with Summit Lumber Company of Elliottsville, Fayette County. He stood 5 feet, 9 inches tall, and weighed 148 lbs. at the age of 22. He had grey eyes and brown hair and carried a scar above his left eye.

Paul was twice married.

His first wife was 19-year-old Lemont Furnace native Eleanor Jane Williams (1920- ? ) on Aug. 26, 1939 in Fayette County. News of their marriage license was printed in the Connellsville Daily Courier. The union lasted about a year. In September 1940, Paul sued for divorce, claiming "cruel and barbarous treatment." The divorce was decreet in January 1941.

Paul is known to have registered for the military draft in 1940 and to have listed his sister Nancy Leonard as one who would know his whereabouts.

On May 6, 1952, he was united in holy matrimony with his second wife, Glenna June Butcher (Sept. 30, 1924-1983), a native of Akron, Summit County, OH and the daughter of Ralph C. and Jane "Jennie" (Liston) Butcher.

They were the parents of Ralph or Faye Bettencourt.

The couple resided in Dunbar, Fayette County. In about 1960, they separated, and Glenna filed for divorce, citing desertion.

By 1966, at the death of her father, Glenna was named in the obituary as "Bettencourt."

Glenna entered eternity on Jan. 25, 1983.

Paul died on June 11, 1989. Burial of the remains was in Park Place Cemetery in Uniontown.

~ Son Ray W. Turner ~

Son Ray W. Turner (1923-1981) was born on Sept. 28, 1923 in Wharton Furnace, Fayette County.

He was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Clarissa "Ann" McVay (1925- ? ), daughter of Harry Freeman and Lizzie Mae (Haggerty) McVay of Waltersburg, Fayette County.

The Turners are believed to have been the parents of Susan Rae Turner, Cynthia Lee Mrosko and Nancy A. Hellein.

The family was plunged into grief when daughter Susan Rae passed away in 1958.

They lived in Waltersburg, Fayette County in 1970. 

Ray died at the age of 57 on Aug. 29, 1981. The remains are in eternal rest in LaFayette Memorial Park.

Ann survived her spouse by 34 years. She succumbed to death at the age of 90 on May 14, 2015.

Daughter Cynthia Lee Turner ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). As a young woman, she graduated from Fayette County Area Technical Vocational School and was hired for the medical records department of Uniontown Hospital. In November 1970, she wedded George Andrew Mrosko Sr. ( ? - ? ), son of Andrew Mrosko. Their wedding was held in St. John's Greek Catholic Church in Uniontown, officiated by Rev. Sebastian Sabol. At the time, George also was an alumnus of Fayette County Vo-Tech and earned a living as a carpenter with O.C. Cluss Lumber Company. They resided in Uniontown and produced a son, George Andrew Mrosko Jr.

Daughter Nancy Ann Turner ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She was employed in 1969 with Lady Anne Beauty Salon in Uniontown. In November 1969, she married Eugene Thomas Hellein Jr., son of Eugene Thomas Hellein Sr. of Hopwood. Their nuptials were officiated by Rev. Dr. G.J. Morgans in the Great Bethel Baptist Church. Eugene served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War as an operating room technician. They bore two known daughters, and perhaps more -- Wendi Sue Hellein and Beth Ann Hellein. Circa 1973, Eugene Jr. earned a living working for Gallatin National Bank in Brownsville, Fayette County.