Minerd.com Biography of Frank George and Bertha Ann (Lee) Turner of Ohiopyle, PA

Frank George Turner
(1884-1946)

Early in the marriage, they resided on Jacobs Creek Road in South Huntington Township, Westmoreland County. Circa 1918, when he registered for the federal draft during World War I, he was employed by the Strawn-Blaney Coal Company of Allenport, PA. Later, in the 1940s, they lived at Ohiopyle.

The Turners produced a family of at least 11 children -- Mary Louise Dean Shipley, Warren Frank Turner, Leah Bernadine Turner, Dora Lotta Turner, Verna Wise, Kenneth G. Turner, Mabel Ridley, Harold E. Turner, Lorrayne Ruth "Corkie" Cutright, David G. Turner, and Nancy J. Johnson.

Sadly, two daughters died in infancy. Dora Lotta, afflicted with whooping cough, but with no physician in attendance, passed away on Feb. 25, 1910, at the tender age of 27 days. Leah Bernadine died at birth on July 30, 1935, with a physician writing that a contributing cause was hydrocephalus -- "spina bifida."

When the federal census enumeration was made in 1940, the Turners dwelled in Stewart Township. At that time, Frank earned a living providing labor for road projects, employed by the Works Progress Administration. The WPA was one of the ways President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the federal government tried to overcome unemployment and is widely considered one of the Roosevelt's largest and most ambitious undertakings of his "New Deal" to get the nation back on sound economic footing. Over the years, the WPA hired millions of out-of-work individuals to build public works projects, such as roads, bridges, retaining walls and buildings.

Heartache struck twice in 1946. The first was in October, when married daughter Mary Louise Dean Shipley died, leaving her three young sons as orphans. The boys were taken into Frank and Bertha's home to raise.

The second horrible event of that year was when the 61-year-old Frank himself was killed when the automobile in which he was a passenger collided with a truck the day before Christmas Eve 1946. The accident occurred on U.S. Route 40 near Flint Rock Park, east of Uniontown, and made front-page headlines in the Connellsville Daily Courier. He was laid to rest at Bryner Ridge Cemetery, along the Farmington-Ohiopyle Road.

Circa 1943-- back row, l-r: Mary & Gene Shipley, Frank Turner, Bill & Verna Wise, Toots & Warren Turner, Dot & Harold Turner, Mabel Ridley, Hannah & Kenneth Turner. Middle, l-r: Frank Dean, Nancy Johnson, Dave Turner, Corky, Vincent Dean, Bertha Turner, Eddie Dean. Front: Gerald, Ruth, Paul, Dottie.

Grandchildren remember fondly that she always had homemade bread and gravy ready for visitors anytime they came. The Uniontown newspaper said she "was a life long resident of the area. She was a homemaker and was a member of the Lemont United Methodist Church."

Bertha passed away on July 7, 1985, at the age of 95. She was interred beside her husband, and the words "23rd Psalm" were inscribed on the face of their grave marker.

Son Warren Frank Turner (1911-1992) was born on May 31, 1911 in Ohiopyle, Fayette County.

Circa 1937, when he was 26 years of age, he married 22-year-old Naomi Ruth Schaefer (March 23, 1915-1965), also a native of Ohiopyle and the daughter of George and Eva (Collins) Schaefer. News of their marriage license was printed in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

Four children were produced by this union -- Gerald Wayne Turner, Paul Warren Turner, Ruth Ellen Savage and Rebecca Ann "Becky" Holt.

The Turners resided in Ohiopyle, Fayette County. Warren served as supervisor of roads in Stewart Township and as master of the Ohiopyle Grange in the 1950s. When a new ambulance was purchased by the Ohiopyle Ambulance Corps in 1955, he made its first driving trip to the hospital when his mother-in-law fell on ice and broke her hip.

Naomi Ruth earned a living as a laboratory assistant at Connellsville State Hospital.

The family belonged to the Meadow Run Methodist Church in Ohiopyle, and Naomi Ruth was active with its Ladies Sunday School class.

Grief cascaded over the family when Naomi Ruth, suffering from hypertension, was stricken by bleeding into the brain and died in the Connellsville hospital at the age of 50 on Nov. 26, 1965. The funeral service was co-officiated by Rev. C. Smith Hixon and Rev. Herman David. Burial was in Sansom Chapel Cemetery in Wharton Township. An obituary was published in the Uniontown Morning Herald.

He died on April 28, 1992 at the age of 80. His remains sleep for all time in Bryner Ridge Cemetery in Ohiopyle.

Son Gerald Wayne Turner ( ? - ? ) was married to Nancy and lived in Nixon, NJ in 1959. They were back in Ohiopyle in 1965.

Daughter Ruth Ellen Turner (1938-2020) was born on May 21, 1938 in Ohiopyle. On May 24, 1957, she wedded Robert R. Savage (July 16, 1936-2012), son of Carl "Ed" and Dorothy (Guthrie) Savage of Elliottsville, Fayette County. They were the parents of Chris Robert Savage, Dr. Phillip Savage and Kathleen Olson. The Savages resided in 1959 in Aliquippa and Rochester, Beaver County, PA and in Center Township/Monaca, Beaver County in 1965. In all they were in Beaver County for nearly half a century and were members of the Calvary Baptist Church of Monaca, where Ruth Ellen was treasurer of the congregation and led children's ministries. They also often hosted visiting evangelists and missionaries in their home. Said an obituary, "She was a wise and godly mother who placed great value on education and was proud to see all of her children graduate from Penn State and also earn three advanced degrees. She valued even more that all are believers and active in their churches." The couple eventually divorced, and Robert moved back to Elliottsville and married again to Julia Cross ( ? - ? ). In about 2005, Ruth Ellen relocated to Crozet, VA to resided with her married daughter and family. There, she belonged to the First Baptist Church of Charlottesville. She was swept away into eternity on Sept. 8, 2020, while in Hospice of the Piedmont in Charlottesville. Her remains were returned to Fayette County for burial. Her former husband died at home on Oct. 13, 2012. His obituary was printed in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

Son Paul Warren Turner (1940- ? ) was born in about 1940. He served in the U.S. Army in 1957. He lived in Hudson, OH in 1959 and in Cuyahoga Falls, OH in 1965. He wedded Jayne ( ? - ? ).

Daughter Rebecca Ann "Becky" Turner ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She was joined in wedlock with carpenter Wendell Holt ( ? - ? ), son of Lois B. (Eicher) Holt Mitchell. The couple produced a family of four offspring -- Gary Holt, Wendy Holt, Brenda Holt and Todd Holt. The Holts have lived in Ohiopyle for decades. During the early part of the 1960s, Wendell plied his craft as a carpenter, building houses and fashioning cabinets, custom doors, furniture and gun closets. Then in 1967, Wendell and his friend Robert "Bob" Marietta formed a business, Holt and Marietta, and created the company White Water Adventurers to provide rafts and rafting tours for whitewater enthusiasts in the Ohiopyle rapids. The business has continued over many years, drawing customers from all over the eastern seaboard and country. Wendell and Becky are featured in the book Youghiogheny: Appalachian River, authored by Tim Palmer. The book described Becky this way:

She married a country carpenter and ended up with 15,000 customers a year, 200 rafts, fifteen river guides on the payroll, tee-shirt sales in the thousands, a campground off Route 40, and a very decent income. She stands tall, pretty in a simple way. She has a welcoming smile, maybe the warnest smile in Ohiopyle.

Son Harold E. Turner (1914-1983) was born on June 19, 1914 in Ohiopyle, Fayette County.

On July 7, 1939, at the age of 25, he eloped to Cumberland, MD to marry 19-year-old Dorothy Litten (1920-2006).

The couple stayed together for about seven years. Then, in February 1946, he learned that jobs were available in Beaver County, PA, and left to seek employment. He never returned. Dorothy filed for divorce, and it was granted in June 1949. In reporting on the divorce, the Connellsville Daily Courier said that she was "a Sunday school teacher of Keisterville."

Harold's second bride was Mary Eleanor Sims (June 16, 1923-2011), a native of Walkersville, Lewis County, WV and the daughter of George Walter and Rhoda Genevieve (Warner) Sims.

They made their home primarily in the coal mine patch town of Republic, Fayette County, and later for a short time in Ambridge, Beaver County, PA. He was employed at one time by the Hillman Barge Company.

Harold died in Uniontown in March 1983. Interment of the remains was in Sylvan Heights Cemetery in Uniontown. Rev. Edward Hammett and nephew Rev. Frank Dean jointly led the funeral service.

Mary Eleanor spent her final years in Myrtle Beach, SC. She died there at the age of 87 on March 5, 2011. Her remains were donated to the University of South Carolina for medical education.

Son Dale E. Turner relocated to Ann Arbor, MI. He married Kitty ( ? - ? ). They were the parents of Jennifer Hutchinson. In 2011, the Turners were in Brighton, MI.

Daughter Dorothy Turner married (?) Garrison and established a home in Taylor, MI.

Daughter Verna Jane Turner (1918-2013) was born on June 21, 1918 in Ohiopyle, Fayette County.

In 1940, at the age of about 22, she was united in the bonds of matrimony with Clarence William "Bill" Wise (April 7, 1918-1992), son of Otho Earl and Naomi C. (Spear) Wise.

They lived in Lemont Furnace/Cove Run, Fayette County. Verna was a teacher in the Laurel Highlands School District and retired in 1988 from the Hutchinson School.

Verna outlived her spouse by more than two decades and remained in Lemont Furnace. At the age of 95, she was gathered in by the Angel of Death on Nov. 18, 2013. Burial was in Bryner Ridge Cemetery in Ohiopyle, with the funeral led by Rev. Terry Teluch. An obituary appeared in the Uniontown Herald-Standard.

Son Larry W. Wise Sr. ( ? - ? ) was married and the father of Larry W. Wise Jr. and Jeffrey Wise. His three stepchildren were Austin Brown, Ryan Brown and Katie Anderson

Son Kenneth George Turner (1921-2007) was born on May 3, 1921 in Ohiopyle, Fayette County.

He graduated from Ohiopyle High School and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was pictured in uniform in the high school's 1946 yearbook, The Ohiopylean, in a page devoted to "Our Servicemen." An original copy is preserved in the Minerd.com Archives.

After the war, Kenneth lived in Ohiopyle, Fayette County, and was married five times -- to Hannah Thorpe (1924-1992), in 1947 to Zelda Lucille (Provance) Muehlebach (May 24, 1925-2005), in 1957 to Mamie Iseley (June 13, 1915-1982), Dorothy Currin ( ? - ? ) and in 1990 to Thelma J. (Luckey) Lewis (Nov. 24, 1924-2010).

Kenneth and his second bride Zelda were the parents of three children -- Bernadine Turner, Robert "Butch" Turner and Brenda Blake Luckey. They divorced at some point in time.

Kenneth also served in the Army during the Korean War and Vietnam War. In January 1950, he received an Army commendation "for outstanding performance of duty as a military escort in the program of returning war dead," said a local newspaper. "The commendation was in recognition of Sgt. Turner's service in escorting the remains of American servicemen who died overseas and whose bodies have been returned here for final burial... Turner and other trained military escorts accompany each deceased serviceman from New York to the place of final burial selected by next of kin. After contacting the family on arriving at the serviceman's home town, the escorting soldier offers his services and presents the country's flag to the next of kin at the conclusion of the graveside service." He retired from the Army at the end of 1971 with the rank of command sergeant major.

Kenneth's final residence was in Hopwood. He died in Uniontown Hospital on May 10, 2007, just a week after his 86th birthday. Pastor Charles O'Brian preached the funeral sermon.

Former wife Zelda married again in 1968 to Jesse Lee (1918-1982). She moved to Florida and spent 19 years in Interlachen. Her final year of life was spent in Gainesville, Alachua County, FL. Death swept her away on Nov. 28, 2005. Her remains are in eternal sleep in Pine Lawn Cemetery in Mannville, Putnam County, FL.

Daughter Brenda Turner married (?) Blake and lived in Gainesville, FL. In time she wedded Caine Luckey ( ? - ? ). She and Caine have photographed many family grave markers throughout Fayette County and generously allowed the images to be posted on this website.

She was valedictorian of her graduating class at Ohiopyle High School. As a young woman, Mabel relocated to Fairmont, Marion County, WV. Then during World War II, she labored in the field of shipbuilding to support the Allied military cause.

Later, after marriage, she and Arnold resided in Lemont Furnace, across the street from his mother and married sister Verna Wise. Mabel was employed for more than three decades with Rockwell International and retired from the company.

She held a membership in Community United Methodist Church of Evans Manor. Said the Uniontown Herald-Standard, Mabel "was a talented musician, singer and song writer who leaves us all with a mountain of memories. She touched our lives in so many ways and we will sorely miss her kind, loving and generous spirit."

Mabel spent her final years in Lemont Furnace. She died on Feb. 5, 2021 at the age of 97. Interment of the remains was in Bryner Ridge Cemetery, with an obituary appearing in the Herald-Standard.

Daughter Lorrayne "Ruth" Turner (1925-1999) -- nicknamed "Corkie" -- was born on Dec. 4, 1925.

She married Richard Cutright (July 18, 1924-1990), a native of Century, Barbour County, WV.

Ruth survived as a widow for nine years. She succumbed to death at age 74 on Dec. 7, 1999.

The couple rests in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Enterprise, Harrison County, WV.

Son David Glenn Turner (1928-2013) was born on Feb. 20, 1928 in Ohiopyle, Fayette County.

He married Margaret Ann Van Swearingen (April 16, 1925-2002). They made their home in Uniontown, Fayette County.

Four children were born to this union -- Diann Scott, Peggy Rosinski, David L. Turner and James Turner.

David was employed by Rockwell International and retired from the company. Socially, he was a member of the North Union post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. They belonged to the Community United Methodist Church.

David outlived his wife by almost 11 years He passed away at the age of 85 on April 15, 2013. Pastors Terry Teluck and Dan Brant co-officiated the funeral service. An obituary was printed in the Uniontown Herald-Standard.

Daughter Diann Turner married Larry Scott. The couple was in Lemont Furnace in 2013.

Daughter Peggy Turner wedded Michael Rosinski. They established a home in Perryopolis, Fayette County.

Son James Turner was joined in marriage with Cheryl. They were in Fairchance circa 2013.

Daughter Nancy J. Turner (1930-2022) was born on Dec. 16, 1930 in or near Ohiopyle, Fayette County.

She is said to have been valedictorian of the last class to graduate from Ohiopyle High School.

In about 1949, at the age of 18, she married 19-year-old Clark Theodore Johnson Jr. (March 14, 1930-2011), who was born in Ralph, PA and was the son of Clark Theodore and Sarah C. Johnson Sr. and the stepson of Rudy Malensky. Their marital union endured for an extraordinatry 62 years.

The Johnsons' brood of children were Joyce Chapman, Linda Glass, Kathy Logan Deanda, Phillip Johnson and Theodore "Ted" Johnson.

Clark served as a master sergeant in the U.S. Army. As a military family, the Johnsons frequently relocated to Army installations. They finally settled in Newport News, VA, where they spent the rest of their married life together. He was employed at some point by the U.S. Postal Service. He loved to hunt and was a member of the West Point Hunt Club.

Nancy earned a living as a licensed practical nurse at Mary Immaculate Hospital.

Clark died in Riverside Hospital in Newport News at the age of 81 on May 24, 2011. He was survived by 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. An obituary in the Newport News Daily Press reported that his remains were returned to Ohiopyle for burial. The family asked that any memorial donations be made to the Food Bank of the Virginia Peninsula.

Nancy outlived her husband and endured the untimely death of their son Phillip. During that time she lived in Newport News and thence in Yorktown, VA.

Death enveloped her on Oct. 26, 2022. As with Clar, her remains were shipped to Ohiopyle to sleep for all time in Bryner Ridge Cemetery. Her obituary was printed in the Williamsburg Yorktown Daily.

Daughter Linda F. Johnson ( ? - ? ) received a bachelor of science degree in education, summa cum laude, in 1984 from Memphis State University. She was named in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. She married Larry Glass ( ? - ? ).

Daughter Kathy Johnson ( ? - ? ) was joined in wedlock with (?) Logan ( ? - ? ). By 2014, she had married again to Anthony Deanda ( ? - ? ).

Son Phillip Johnson (1955-2014) was born on Feb. 15, 1955. After graduation from Menchville High School in Newport News, he joined the U.S. Navy and was a corpsman. In about 1985, he was united in matrimony with Marianne Rivera ( ? - ? ). They stayed together for 29 years until death cleaved them apart. Two children were born to the marriage -- Alicia Johnson and Daniel Johnson. The Johnsons relocated to Florida and made a residence in Clearwater. Phillip was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Cecelia Church. Sadly, at the age of 58, Phillip died at home on Jan. 7, 2014. His obituary appeared in the Newport News Daily Press.

Son Theodore "Ted" Johnson ( ? - ? ) entered into marriage with Andrea ( ? - ? ).

Portraits and grave marker photos courtesy of Brenda (Turner) Luckey