Turnbull, John R. 1936-2003 New Lisbon NY Obituary

John R. Turnbull
NEW LISBON — John R. Turnbull, 67, of New Lisbon, died unexpectedly Friday, March 21, 2003.
He was born Jan. 15, 1936, in Oneonta, the son of George and Vivian (Rockwell) Turnbull.
He was married to Ruth M. Rood on Dec. 16, 1967, at the Baptist Parsonage in Hartwick by the Rev. Schindler.
John attended Morris Central School where he was an avid sports player, graduating in 1954.
He was a born farmer, starting while still attending school at 15. He purchased his own farm within a few years of graduation, and lived there for his remaining life.
John was a member of the Dairylea Cooperative Inc. for 52 years, receiving a recognition award for 50 Years of Loyalty as a member in October 2001. In 1995, John was awarded a certificate of appreciation for 40 Years of Loyal Patronage from I.L. Richer Co. In 1989, he was given the Award of Excellence for Herd Achievement for the outstanding quality of milk produced in the Northeast in Chenango County. John also received in 2001, a Certificate of Recognition for 20 years of dedicated service to the town of New Lisbon.
John loved all aspects of farming. He was devoted to his family, and enjoyed spending time with them — especially his grandson, Timmy. He enjoyed visiting with friends, and when possible he was always ready to kick up his heals square dancing.
John and his brother, Howard, operated a sawmill together up on John's farm. Thirty years ago he sawed his own wood for the addition on his barn. Many items in the Turnbull home were built from hand-sawed boards from the mill. The previous owner of the mill that John and Howard operated had sawed the boards for the home that his daughter Sharon and her family now live in.
John is survived by his wife, Ruth, of 35 years. His children and their spouses, Sharon and Robert Simmons of Edmeston, and Vivian Turnbull and Corey Layman of Albany; his grandson, Timothy Simmons of Edmeston; three brothers and their spouses, Howard and Priscilla Turnbull of Edmeston, Bruce and Beverly Turnbull of Wilmington, Del., and James and Marie Turnbull of Harrisburg, Pa.; his sister and her husband, Isabel and Stephen Winters of Garrattsville; his mother-in-law, Florence Rood; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and their spouses, Gladys Eldred of Norwich, Lawrence and Rita Rood of Mount Vision, William Arthur Rood of Oneonta, Edward and Linda Rood of Hartwick, Patricia and Frederick DeForest of West Edmeston, Dorothy and Roy Roberts of Oneonta, Mykel and Deborah Rood of West Burlington, Mary and John Bush of Hartwick; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by a brother-in-law, Robert Rood Jr.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, 2003, at the Houk-Johnston-Terry Funeral Home, Edmeston, with the Rev. John Young officiating. Family will be receiving friends at the New Lisbon Town Hall after the service.
Calling hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today, March 24, 2003, at the funeral home.
Interment will be at Hillington Cemetery in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John's memory to the Garrattsville Emergency Squad.
Funeral arrangements are by the Houk-Johnston-Terry Funeral Home, Edmeston.

Published in The Daily Star on March 24, 2003.

Find A Grave Memorial for John R. Turnbull