Keith Turner

Keith E. Turner, 82, of Potosi, died on Thursday, June 15, 2017 at Orchard Manor, Lancaster, Wisconsin. Funeral services and masonic services will be 12:00 p.m. (Noon) on Sunday, June 18, 2017 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville. Davey White Jr. will officiate. Burial will be at the Van Buren Cemetery, Potosi, where military rites will be accorded. Lunch will follow at the Potosi Masonic Lodge. Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Keith E. Turner Memorial Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com.

Keith was born on June 29, 1934 in Waterloo Township, the son of Rudea “Rudy” and Mabel (Hall) Turner. He was united in marriage to Vernetta Reuter on June 14, 1958 in Burton, Wisconsin. Keith graduated from Cassville High School in 1952 and then enlisted in the United States Navy. After serving in the Navy he worked at John Deere, first in the foundry and then in assembly, retiring in 1992 after 32 years of service. Keith enjoyed everything about being outside, he started fishing when he was 17 years old and achieved 50 years of being a commercial catfish fisherman. He enjoyed hunting, including waterfowl hunting and taking many trips to Wyoming to hunt mule deer and antelope. He also enjoyed salmon fishing in Alaska. Keith was a Mason for 60 years, served on the Potosi Fire Department for 42 years, where he was one of the original group that started the Potosi fish fry. Keith was an avid Brewers, Packers, and Badgers fan. He loved to play cards, watch dog races, and going on family vacations.

Keith is survived by his wife of 59 years, Vernetta, of Potosi; four children, Rhonda (Gene) Robbins of Evansville, WI; Shirley (Richard) Krajnik of Eagle River, Alaska; Kevin (Nancy Holland) Turner of Juda, WI; and Kurt (Dee) Turner of Platteville; grandchildren, Ashley (Ben Maier), Taylor (Mary Luchsinger), Wesley, and Shelby Robbins, Nick (Jess) Kittoe, Krysta Kittoe, Denali Krajnik, and Zach Krajnik, Brandon (LeAnn) Turner, Briana, Kami (Jarred Duprey), Brooke, and Austin Turner; great-grandchildren, Nathanial, Madison, and Benjamin Kittoe, Kennedy and Ayvah Duprey; sister, Bev Fritz of New Lisbon, WI; brother, Jack (Donnalene) Turner of Potosi; sister-in-law, Wilma Jean Langmeier of Potosi; and multiple nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law, Henry and Evelyn Reuter; granddaughter, Kallie Robbins; brother-in-law and best friend, Bill Fritz; and other brothers and sisters-in-law.