Elmer Oren Turnbough

Elmer Oren Turnbough

December 29, 1927 – September 29, 2022

Elmer Oren Turnbough passed away in Dixon, Missouri on September 29, 2022, at the age of 94. He was born on December 29, 1927, in Davisville, Missouri. His parents were Irwin Turnbough and Rosa Ellen Tinker Turnbough. He married Gladys Eva Thompson on February 28, 1948, in Salem, Missouri.

Elmer lived longer than anyone in his nuclear family. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, who died in 2015, his three brothers; Finis, who died in infancy, Noah Turnbough and wife Frances, and John Turnbough and wife Margaret, and his three sisters, Gladine Abney and husband Lawrence, Dorothy Ray and husband Henry and Dolly Turnbough.

He is survived by his three children: Jim Turnbough, Judy Turnbough Bailey, and Jeff Turnbough, along with their spouses Julie, Ken, and Susana, seven grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren.

Like all six siblings, Elmer was born at home with the help of a traveling midwife.

In 1944, at age 16 he left home looking for work, finding a job at the Purex Corporation in St. Louis, Missouri. At age 18, he volunteered for military service. WW II had ended, and he served with the Army Corp of Engineers for two years helping in the reconstruction of Japan. In October 1951 Elmer became a Christian, and then two years later was ordained as a minister. He served as a pastor and church planter for over 60 years in Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, Delaware, North Carolina, and Florida. Perhaps one of the more outstanding blessings during these years of serving others was the significant number of people who became pastors, missionaries, and leaders, also serving others and even serving him in the last days of his life.

He served faithfully and remained committed to God throughout his time on earth. He encouraged his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to follow the Lord, to stay close to Him. He liked to share verses from the Bible like Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,” Romans 8:28, “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose,” and John 3:16, “For God so loved the word, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Elmer enjoyed helping people—serving as pastor, becoming an EMT to help in a small community, visiting the sick and shut-ins. He talked of counseling people in the nursing home up until just days before he passed away. He would often say, “When the going gets tough, keep looking up!”

The legacy he left was a life of steadfast service to the Lord. He received his greatest reward upon passing from this world, what he worked and lived for—entering the presence of Christ.

Visitation will be 6:00 -7:00 PM Friday, October 7, 2022 at Jones Funeral Home in St. James, MO.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Saturday, October 8, 2022 at Jones Funeral Home.  Pallbearers will be from the Cuba Freewill Baptist Church. Burial with Full Military Honors will be at North Lawn Cemetery in Salem, MO.

Memorials may be made to: International Missions (Free Will Baptist)

                                                World Mission Offering

                                                P. O. Box 5002

                                                Antioch, TN 37013

or enter donation here:https://pushpay.com/g/imincantioch

Online condolences may be entered at jonesfunerals.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Jones Funeral Home in St. James, MO.

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