Margaret Turley 1931-2022

Margaret Elizabeth Turley, of Independence, Mo., passed away on May 18, 2022, at the age of 90.

She was born July 1, 1931, to William Harrison Heiselman and Clara Futscher Heiselman in Holton. She had two sisters, Gladys Loraine Brubaker and Marjorie Evelyn Dodey. She attended Lower Banner Country School for eight years.

She traveled the 2.5 miles to school by riding her buckskin horse “Babe” or walking. As a youth she joined the Sunshine Winners 4-H Club, entering serving, baking, chicken and duck raising as her “projects.” 

Her family home burned when she was eight years old, and she spent the next six years living in train cars (a caboose and a passenger car). 

Margaret attended Holton High School. After that she worked for six years at The Russel 5 cents-1 dollar variety store. On July 22, 1955, she married Gwendland Wayne Turley. To this union, there were nine children: Patricia Ann, Dennis Lee, David Eric, Cathy Lynn, Douglas Brian, Bruce Alan, Rodney Dean, Paul Scott and Vincent Edward. She was a stepmother to De Wayne Eugene and Marvin Edward, and a grandmother to 17 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Margaret was an avid reader of hundreds of books, Western, mystery and romance novels. She also enjoyed cooking, embroidery work, baking and mowing her lawn.

One last thought: “It’s OK to be sad for a while. But I want you to know I’m at peace now, and go out and enjoy life.”

(PAID OBITUARY)