George Encil Turner
George Encil Turner, age 76, of Greene Township, died Thursday, February 8, 2024 at LECOM at Presque Isle Healthcare and Rehabilitation.
Born in Union City, PA on April 29, 1947, he was a son of the late George F. and Alma (Heard) Turner.
He graduated from Wattsburg Area High School and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving during the Vietnam War. George served two terms in Vietnam as a Navy Seabee. After the war, he worked for the Pennsylvania State Game Commission for a short time. He worked at Waste management as a heavy equipment operator for 17 years. Over the years, he also drove semi for many trucking companies including Birkmire, Redwing, and Buckler. For the last few years, until his retirement, he owned and operated his own rig. His close friends and family knew him as “Jake”.
George grew up on a dairy farm and never lost his love for horses. He participated in many rodeo activities such as calf roping and horse pulling. He owned a beautiful pair of Belgian horses, “Silver” and “Dan”, which we called “Gentle Giants”. He gave many hay rides at Peek’n Peak Resort. In 1995, his team and the float won first place in an Erie parade. He was an avid fan of John Wayne movies, and was always a “cowboy at heart”. He loved his family, and his grandsons brought him much joy.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Agnes “Nancy” (Greggan) Turner; 2 daughters, Heidi Findeisen (Randy Wade), and Tonia Reigle (Sean), both of North Carolina; 6 grandsons, Thomas Turner-Runser, William Runser, Joseph Runser, Stephen Findeisen, Shane Reigel, and Jacob Reigel, and 1 great grandson, Miles Reigel. He is also survived by his brother, DuWayne Turner, and his sister, Darlene Dick.
In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by an infant son, George Scott Turner, in 1972.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675.