APRIL 4, 1934 - JANUARY 31, 2024
Itha Jean “Jean” Turntine, age 89, passed away on January 31, 2024 at home in Topeka, KS. She was surrounded by her loving family. 

Jean was born on April 4, 1934, in Fulton, Kansas, to Juell Walter Meech and Elsie May (Finney) Meech. She was raised on the family farm in Fort Scott, Kansas. 

Jean married the love of her life, Harold B. Turntine, on April 4, 1949 in Fort Scott, Kansas. They resided between Centerville and Parker, Kansas for a few years until moving to Topeka, Kansas, which they have called home for over 65 years. Harold and Jean celebrated 74 wonderful years together. They were blessed with four children; Janice “Jan”, Jeanette, Debra “Debi” and Harold “Bud”. 

One of Jean’s favorite pastimes included spending many years enjoying the sun and warm weather in their second home in Florida. She also enjoyed garage sales and never failed to find a good bargain or strike up a conversation with people while out at a sale. She enjoyed watching the birds out of the front windows and especially loved hummingbirds, orioles and cardinals. Jean was oftentimes called the “baby whisperer.” She loved to rock her babies and pat them to sleep. 

Above all else, Jean will be remembered as a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She was a beautiful soul and will be tremendously missed by all that knew her. 

Jean leaves behind a legacy of love. Survivors include husband Harold Turntine; children Jan (Ron) Ash, Jeanette (Jim) Cummings, Debi Starr and daughter-in-law, Tami Turntine; grandchildren Jason (Angie) Cummings, Misty (Kevin) Smith, Chad Ash, Kassandra (Dave) Jensen, Kristine (Chris) Torrez, Jourdan (Michael) Holmes, Samuel (Michaela) Turntine; 14 great grandchildren and five great, great grandchildren. Also surviving is her sister, Jewell Ross. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Dennis and Billy Meech; son, Harold “Bud” Turntine and grandchildren Wendy Ash-Long and Andrew Starr. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on March 30, 2024 at Reynold’s Lodge, 3315 SE Tinman Circle (Lake Shawnee), Topeka, Kansas 66605 from 1:00-3:00pm.