Donald Joseph Turner

Donald “Don” Joseph Turner, 89, passed away in Maryville, Missouri, on February 12, 2026.

Born in Hopkins, Missouri, on November 21, 1936, Don will be remembered as a successful businessman, outdoorsman, devoted friend, and patriarch.

Don was the son of Donald Joseph Turner I and Ruth Elizabeth McCorkle Turner. He enjoyed a childhood on Missouri and Iowa farms that was carefree, filled with hard work and depicted a slice of Americana.

Don loved to reminisce about his idyllic childhood and often shared stories about life in rural America in the 1940s and 1950s. He had a pet raccoon named Herbie (who actually slept in his bed), walked long distances to and from school, and spent time fishing and hunting on the family farm. He often recalled that he grew up with no electricity and had to use an outhouse in the middle of winter.

Don graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Early in his engineering career, he was involved in the design of the St. Louis Arch and the Air Force Academy Chapel. He also worked for the National Park Service as a land surveyor in Yellowstone National Park. As another highlight to his career, Don was the lead engineer for Johnson’s Shut-In’s State Park near St. Louis, Missouri. He also served as county engineer for Jackson and Crawford counties in Iowa.

As his career progressed, Don became known as a successful businessman and founded Midland Engineering. He planned numerous roads and bridges in Iowa and Missouri, and inspected bridges for safety throughout the Midwest. After retiring from Midland Engineering, he bought United Surveying in Branson where he designed the sewer system at Top of the Rock in Branson, Missouri along with other southern Missouri projects.

Don’s career was marked by hard work, integrity, and a strong commitment to the rural towns and counties of Iowa and Missouri. He was proud to introduce a number of people to the fields of engineering and land surveying who became successful in their own careers.

Don married Margie Ann Keairnes on June 1st, 1958. Together they raised three children, Beth, Tom, and Mike. In 1990, Don and Nina Hawkins were united in marriage and remained together until Nina’s passing in May 2019. Don and Nina shared many wonderful years hosting family holidays, traveling with friends, and attending their grandchildren’s sporting and school events. In recent years, Don rekindled relationships with friends from his younger days.

In his later years, Don’s greatest joy was visiting the family farms. He would often sit in his truck and reminisce about his life, childhood, family, and friends. Don was quick to say, “It has been a good life.”

Don was a member of First United Methodist Church. Don and Nina established a scholarship fund through the church to support students’ education. In keeping with his civic minded heart, Don also paid for five students to attend Northwest Missouri State University tuition free. He contributed financially to local church projects and county buildings in Northwest Missouri and Southwest Iowa.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Donald Joseph and Ruth Elizabeth; his first wife, Margie Turner; his second wife, Nina Turner and stepson, Greg Hawkins.

Don is survived by his brother, Sanford Turner (Barb); his daughter, Beth Wharton (Mark); his sons, Tom Turner (Kimberly) and Mike Turner (Janet); stepson, Mark Hawkins (Lynnda), step daughter-in-law, Rhonda; seven beloved grandchildren, Max Wharton (Mary), Jessie Wharton, Bryce Turner, Jenna Chapman (Brandon), Heath Turner, Kellan Turner, and Shae Smith (Tyler), and seven great-grandchildren, Isabel and Walker Wharton, and Isla, Judah, Zion, Titus, and Bennett Chapman.

Don lived his life marked by steadfast roots in the community, hard work, perseverance, and a deep love for friends and family. He had a passion and respect for nature and the outdoors. Some of his fondest memories were hunting and fishing trips with friends and family in Iowa, Minnesota, Alaska and Canada. Don often said, “You will never regret a day you spend outside.”

A funeral for Don will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 2:00 PM at First United Methodist Church, 102 North Main Street, Maryville, Missouri 64468. Steven Jones will officiate. Following the funeral, a burial ceremony will be held with family at the Hopkins Cemetery, Hopkins, Missouri.

Family will receive friends for one hour prior to services at the gathering space at the church.

We would like to acknowledge Home Instead, who provided support to Don in his final years.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Nodaway County Ambulance District Patient Assistance Transportation (P.A.T.) van or Pheasants Forever. The PAT van provides patient assistance services to senior community members with wheelchair access transportation. Pheasants Forever is the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving pheasants, quail, and other wildlife through habitat improvement, public access, and education. Checks may be made out to P.A.T. or Pheasants Forever, Inc.

“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple.” Psalm 27:4