Bennie Gene Turner

Bennie Gene Turner, 73, of Smithville, MO passed away April 25, 2018.

He was born November 16, 1944 to George Witfield and Dorothy Roberta (Harris) Turner in Linkville, MO.   Ben grew up in Smithville and graduated from Smithville High School in 1962.

On April 18, 1969 he was united in marriage to Arlene Kay Sherwood.  After their marriage they made their home in the Smithville area. 

 Ben retired as a Machinist and Master Electrician from National Starch & Chemical in North Kansas City, MO after 42 years of service.  

He was a member of the Little Platte Baptist Church where he served as a past Deacon.   Ben enjoyed being on the family farm where he designed and built the barn and other buildings.  Ben and Arlene’s farm was chosen to participate in the State of Missouri Intensive Grazing Farm Tour.  They were chosen for the tour because of the complex design of their grazing system.  Ben was active with the Smithville FFA and coached his boys in little league baseball.  Ben enjoyed mushroom hunting, fishing and was an avid MU Tiger Fan.  He was very proud of Bennie’s stock car racing achievements, where he watched and participated as a member of his team.  Ben also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and watching their various activities. 

 Ben was preceded in death by his parents, sister Esther Hadley and brother John Turner.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Arlene Turner; children Lurinda Gilliland and husband Joe, Bennie Turner, II and fiancé Jossie Fisher, Barry Turner and wife Nicole, and Braden Turner and wife Tarah; grandchildren Zoie Sears, Keegan Sterling, Reese Turner, Brooks “Bubba” Turner, Braden Cole Turner, Addison Turner, and Austin Turner; step-grandchildren Meghann Figg, Logan Gilliland, and Erin Gilliland; sister Georgia Plum; brother-in-law Ronnie Sherwood; several nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

 The family would like to thank the Gower Convalescent Center and Three Rivers Hospice for their loving care and dedication. 

 Visitation: 4:00-6:00 p.m. Sunday, April 29th at Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Smithville.

Funeral Service: 10:00 a.m. Monday April 30th at Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Smithville

Burial: Allen Cemetery, Gower, MO

Donations may be made in his memory c/o Arlene Turner to benefit the furthering of education for nurses at the Gower Convalescent Center.