Mrs. Patricia Ann Turner, 78, passed away at 6:34 p.m. Monday, November 10, 2025, at Seminary Manor, in Galesburg, after battling Alzheimer’s Disease.
Born November 22, 1946, to KJ (Pete) and Marguerite Spring. Pat was the 4th of 5 siblings raised on various Illinois farms, spending much of her school years living outside of Rio. Pat graduated from ROVA High School; received a BSEd degree from Western Illinois University and a MSEd degree from Western Illinois University.
Pat highly valued and lived a life of faith, family, education and music. She became a follower of Jesus as a young adult. She was a devoted woman of prayer, led many bible and small group studies; Girls Meeting God and Christian Women’s Club. During retirement years she organized church senior community and serving events.
Pat married Richard Turner on August 11, 1972. They raised 4 children, adopted 4 in-law children, enjoyed 17 grandchildren and recently began meeting 4 great grandchildren. Pat loved planning…vacations, holiday meals, Christmas presents, numerous grandma camp combinations of cousins, traveling to and watching sporting events, making scrapbooks.
Pat began her teaching career in the Galesburg district, spent some time at home raising her children, taught at a Christian school and gave many years to the ROWVA district where she was a teaching principal in both the Rio and Altona buildings. Whether she was in a formal classroom, teaching young hands to cook, bake, sew or do crafts, teaching the next generation was simply a part of who she was. Even upon retiring, she led fundraising efforts for the district’s educational endowment.
Pat also loved music. She was an accomplished pianist, singer, and self-taught acoustic player. She was involved in music throughout her own education, played organ and piano for churches, directed adult and youth choirs and productions.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers Sam and KP (Bud), and 2 children, Nikki and Jon. She is survived by her husband Richard, daughter Ari (Todd) Henderson of Hudson, IA, daughter Jami (Brian) McGarry of Wataga, sister Marcella Peacock of Chicago, brother Ron (Mary) Spring of Galesburg, 17 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
To celebrate Pat’s life there will be a visitation from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Bethel Baptist Church at 1195 N Academy Street, Galesburg. A memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 14, 2025, at the church. A live-stream video will be available at www.mybethel.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to ROWVA Public School Foundation. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.h-p-w.com.
