Phyllis “Tween” Turner, nee Goldberg, 92, longtime Kelly Lake resident, died Thursday evening, Nov. 9, 2017, at home, surrounded by her family. She was born Sept. 8, 1925, in Chicago to Samuel and Dorothy (Smith) Goldberg, the youngest of three daughters. In 1943, she graduated from South Shore High School.
On Dec. 27, 1944, she married the love of her life, Melville “Mel” L. Turner in Chicago. Following their marriage, the couple lived in the South Shore neighborhood, where they raised two children and spent many enjoyable summers with family and lifelong friends at Kelly Lake. During World War II, Phyllis worked at Wisconsin Steel in Chicago. While raising a family, she enjoyed volunteer and church activities. After her children graduated from high school, she started her professional career working for the Leo Burnett Advertising Agency and the Boy Scouts of America. For many years she served as Personnel Director at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, a Chicago-based, international law firm, before retiring in 1987 and becoming a full-time resident of Kelly Lake.
She was an active member of the Hickory United Methodist Church. She volunteered every week for over 30 years at Community Memorial Hospital, now St. Clare Memorial Hospital, in Oconto Falls, where she also served as a member of their Healthcare Foundation since 2004. Phyllis will be fondly remembered for her positive and spirited attitude, great sense of humor and commitment to her many longtime friends.
She is survived by her children, Don (Carol) Turner, Chicago; Diane Wells (Bob Kaminski), Elmhurst; granddaughter, Melissa Grace Turner, Chicago; nieces and nephews: Dorine Archer, David (Kate) McCarty, Jay (Susan) McCarty, and Carl Gabel and her beloved pets: Peanuts, Cuddles and Buddy. Also fondly remembered are her dedicated caregivers and wonderful friends who made it possible for her to live at home.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Mel, in 2005, one granddaughter, Kristine, and her sisters, Dorine Gabel and Shirley Taylor.
Visitation was held on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017 from 2-5:30 p.m. at Jones Funeral Service in Oconto Falls. Funeral services began at the funeral home at 5:30 p.m. Cremation was to follow.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to the Oconto County Humane Society or Hickory United Methodist Church.