Donald K. Turner

It has been said that “man is what he believes.” This is certainly true of Donald K. Turner. He believed there was great virtue in a good education, a good family and a good community – and that’s exactly the story of his life. Husband, educator, veteran – Donald fulfilled every one of those roles with conviction, love and honor. His reputation, his accomplishments and his convictions will live on in the hearts of all those who had the pleasure of knowing him.

The stock market crash would forever mark 1929 as the year the Great Depression began. More than that though, it was the year that Lewis and Marie Turner of Chrisman, Illinois welcomed the birth of their son, Donald, on August 19, 1929. Donald led a typical childhood of the time, growing up in the close-knit community of Chrisman. He received his education in the area schools, and was the most decorated high school senior at Chrisman High, receiving 7 varsity letters in football, basketball, baseball and track before graduating in 1947.

In 1951, Donald followed the same patriotic calling of other young men of the time, and enlisted in the U.S. Army, proudly serving his country during the Korean War. He spent one year in combat in Korea, where he was wounded and later awarded the Purple Heart for his bravery. Although the service took Donald miles from home, a special young lady stayed on his mind the entire time, his sweetheart, Dixie M. Dial. Upon his honorable discharge in 1954, Donald went home and made Dixie his beloved wife on October 15, 1954. For Donald, Dixie was his everything, and it was his mission to always take care of her and shower her with unconditional love.

As they settled into married life together, Donald began pursing his degree in Education, attending Eastern Illinois State College. After earning his BS in 1956, he took his first teaching position at Lafayette (Illinois) High School as a Social Studies teacher and coach. At the same time, Donald took classes at the University of Illinois and went on to receive his Masters in Education in 1957. Then, in 1958, Donald began teaching in Serena (Illinois) Community High School for 4 years, before becoming the Elementary Principal in the Gilman Community Unit District, and eventually Principal of Gilman High School. Then, in 1963, Donald put down roots at Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School, where he would impact the future of countless young lives over his admirable 35-year career. Donald served in various capacities throughout his tenure, including as Dean of Boys, Dean of Students, Asst. Superintendent of Student Affairs, Asst. Superintendent of Supervision, Asst. Superintendent of Business and Acting Superintendent. In 1982, he took the helm as Superintendent of Bradley-Bourbonnais Community Schools, a position he gave his all in every day with an unwavering and optimistic demeanor. Donald became the longest sitting Superintendent at BBCHS, before retiring in 1998.

Donald wasn’t just an advocate for the students in his care, but also the teachers. He was esteemed by his colleagues for his honesty, integrity and confidence, but he had quite a sense of humor too, and liked to pull practical jokes. Like one of his former teachers put it, Donald was a “rock star boss.” Teacher, Lana Brown, also got to see the softer side of Donald when she was very ill and in the hospital in 1987. Although no visitors were allowed, Donald marched right past the nurses and stood at Lana’s bedside telling her “You are going to fight this thing Lana – you are not going to stop now. You have kids to see grow up and kids waiting for you at school. You can’t leave yet – you’ve got too much to do Girl!” Truly inspired, Lana said “I couldn’t physically follow him then, but he was a leader and I’ve followed him every day since then.”

Donald always put up a strong façade, but on Friday, January 23, 1998, the community and school saw his inner, most soft core, perhaps for the first time, when they honored him with the renaming of the school gym to the Donald K. Turner Gymnasium. The wall plaque emblazed with his name on it was covered up and he was given the excuse that a new PA system was being installed there. Clueless, Donald was called to the center of the gym that Friday night and the cover was dropped from the plaque, and he stood speechless. Once he could speak, Donald emotionally declared his love for the school and its staff, saying they were his “family”, even more so since losing his beloved wife Dixie to cancer on January 13, 1997. It was truly a touching moment in time for everyone attending, a moment Donald treasured every day to his end.

Once retired, Donald never stopped being an advocate for education. He set up and funded the Don K. and Dixie M. Turner Scholarship, wherein $1,000 was given to a senior majoring in Education, another $1,000 was given to a BBCHS teacher who completed coursework in their field of teaching, and there was also the BBCHS Veteran’s Appreciation Scholarship that was awarded to a student whose parent, grandparent or sibling was serving or had served in the military. Donald also funded the Olivet Nazarene University Scholarship in honor of his beloved wife Dixie, who taught there. He also found time to be active in his community as a member of the Moose Lodge #802, the Bradley Lions Club and the Bradley American Legion.

Donald’s teachings and humanity reached far beyond the classroom; he had a deep store of generosity and love from which he drew upon unsparingly to help his family, friends, students, colleagues and community. Donald will be dearly missed while his memory remains forever near and dear to all the hearts he touched.

Donald K. Turner, age 83, of Bourbonnais, IL passed away on Friday, March 22, 2013, at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee, IL. Donald is survived by two sister-in-laws, Pam Sherman and Linda Dial both of Chrisman, IL; a brother-in-law, Richard Dial of Paris, IL; several cousins, and many loving friends and colleagues.

A time of gathering will be held on Monday, April 1, from 3-7p.m. at Schreffler Life Story Funeral Homes, Bourbonnais Chapel. A celebration of life will take place on Tuesday, April 2, at 10 a.m. at Schreffler Life Story Funeral Homes, Bourbonnais Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Riverside Medical Center Cancer Center would be appreciated. To leave a special memory, upload a photo, or sign Donald’s guest book, please visit www.schrefflerfuneralhome.com.