Mr. Thomas Franklin Turner

September 13, 1937 - July 2, 2021

Mr. Thomas Franklin Turner, affectionately known as “Tom and Tee”, transitioned from time into eternity on July 2, 2021, at home in Peoria, IL. He was born September 13, 1937, in Summerland, MS, to Amos and Armatha McCullum Turner. On December 3, 1957, Tee married the love of his life, Mary Magdalene Carr, “affectionately known as ‘Peggy Jean’, in Crawfordsville, IN. Tom was a quiet soul. He loved people but also cherished his alone time…taking long walks, listening to music or watching TV. If you spent any time with him, he would fill you with all the knowledge he had on a topic. He had a great love for music and Cadillacs, but most of all cookouts with family and friends. Tom was an industrious person. He honorably served his country on active duty in the Army from 1956 through 1959. After settling in Peoria, he found gainful employment at Caterpillar, from which he retired after 20 years. Like most Turners, he had a penchant for entrepreneurialism. Tom started Turners Home Improvement. In his spare time, he could be found paneling a house or laying carpet. He remodeled many houses in the 4th St. neighborhood. He was also co-owner of Turners Entertainment Center (a records and billiards store) with his wife and nephew, Larry Turner. Tom is survived by Mary Magdalene, his wife of 63 years; children, Ronald (April) Turner of Indianapolis, IN, Steven Turner and Rob (Cherry) Turner both of Peoria, IL, and Patricia (Tom) Edwards of Columbus, OH; siblings, Sally Rodgers of Inglewood CA, Emma Turner and James Turner both of Indianapolis, IN; grandchildren Petey Adams, Patricia Davis, Tory DeBose, Audra Edwards, Brittany Harris, Teressa Holly-Moore and Tamika Randolph; great grandson, Tevion Price, a host of nieces and nephews; and special friends, Patricia Jordan, Barbara and Clarence Sterling and Sandra Bush. Tom was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ervin Turner, Curtis Turner, Jessie Turner and Johnny Turner; sisters Nola Byrd and Hattie-Ruth Turner; and grandchildren, Sybta DeBose and Shannel Watson. Funeral services will be held at 3 pm, Friday, July 9, 2021 at Simons Mortuary, with a visitation beginning at 2 pm. Rev. Dr. Tom Edwards of Equippers City Church will officiate. Tom will be laid to rest 2 pm on Monday, July 12, 2021 at Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, IL. Simons Mortuary has been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at SimonsMortuary.com. The service will be live streamed on Simons Mortuary's Website or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Simons-Mortuary-232095303487150 promptly AT THE TIME OF THE SERVICE. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, social distancing and attendance, funerals are limited to 50 family members of the decedents, not including the staff at Simons Mortuary. The chapel can socially distance and seat no more than 50 or less people. All others will be able to flow through prior to beginning of the service. To be consistent with recommendations from the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), funeral home directors have been instructed and should follow CDC guidelines on gatherings, including those directly related to funerals, visitations, or graveside services. Funerals are limited to no more than 50 of the decedent’s immediate family members. *In an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, we ask that everyone in attendance: wear a face mask and refrain from hugging, kissing and shaking hands (as hard as it is to see someone you care about and not touch them). *It is our responsibility as a Funeral Directors, to do everything we can to advise families in order to honor our beloved Families and to keep everyone as safe as possible. Thanks in advance for your cooperation!