Charles Turner

Charles B. Turner, 83, of Holland, was many things in his life: a loving husband, fantastic father, kind coach for kids and adults, athletic director, school board member, parish leader and teacher. He never worked as a teacher, per se. He worked as supervisor in shops making high-quality clocks most of his working life. Charles could build you a bird house or a real house and then fill it with fine furniture.

If he knew how to do something, he was happy to share that knowledge with others -- from how to play ping-pong to balancing a checkbook or a ceiling fan. Charles was unfailingly kind but knew when it was time to stand up to authority -- be it Monsignor or local Teamsters president.

His time on this earth ended Saturday evening following the ebb and flow of illness that comes with age and, in Charles' case, wisdom -- with humor intact.

Born in Grafton, W. Va., Charles was the youngest child of Charles Greer Turner and Eva Rose (Behan) Turner, who have preceded him in death as have all three siblings.

He married the love of his life, Gloria (Williams) Turner, who survives, on Nov. 22, 1952, turning down a basketball scholarship to be with her. When drafted into the Army in 1954, Gloria followed him from base to base as Charles trained, eventually rising to assistant instructor of the 723rd Tank Division.

Following his time in the Army, the couple moved to Maryland where they welcomed two daughters, Lynn Turner (Rick Cristofaro) and Jan Turner Levandoski.

Moving to Michigan in 1973, Charles worked at Colonial Clock Manufacturing until it closed in 1983. He retired from Sligh Furniture Co., of Holland, in 1999.

He is also survived by granddaughter Nikki Levandowski.

A funeral Mass is to be held 1 p.m. Friday at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 480 152nd Ave., Holland, with visitation at noon. Burial is to be held at a later date at Fort Custer.