Obituary of Erma Louise Turner
Erma Louise (Douglas) Turner
Erma Louise (Douglas) Turner, age 98, passed away February 11, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born December 9, 1927 in McClure, Illinois. She recently lived in Shorewood and Joliet, and had been a resident of Morris from 1969-2017. She loved raising her children, taking care of her home, and volunteering in church and in her community.
Erma was educated in Elco and Dongola schools, graduating as Valedictorian in 1945. She graduated from SIU-Carbondale and was elected homecoming queen her senior year. Her love of children and compassionate heart led her to major in Elementary Education and minor in Health Education. She began her teaching career in Hillsboro, Illinois as a Kindergarten teacher, where she met her future husband, Charles Turner and married into an incredible extended family that she loved. They wed in 1951 and Erma left teaching to raise their five children.
She briefly worked for the Grundy County Health Department before returning to the classroom at Garfield School in Morris, teaching 1st grade. Erma's early years were shaped by the loss of her parents, grandmother, and home life. She always found a church home and her Christian faith was her foundation. Erma was wise, generous with everyone, and made her choices with integrity. Her greatest joy was holding a baby and teaching the little ones.
Erma is survived by her children, Laura Turner, David (RoseAnn) Turner, Elane Ward, Karen (David) Nygard, and Sally Turner; grandchildren, Ben (Marilyn) Turner, Sarah Turner, Anna (Brandon) Fiday, Andrew Nygard, Elise (Gavin) Tabb, Jordan Sass, Bethany Sass, and Justin (Amy) Rogers; great-grandchildren, Aaron, Lily, Jack, Matthew, Aubrey, Luke, Jared, Rosie, Rory, Payton, Kaley, and Cade; her sister, Oma Foehr; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
Preceded in death by her husband, Chuck; parents, Thomas and Myrl Douglas; in-laws, William and Wilma (Ware) Turner; brothers, Fred (Ginny) and Stan (Teddy) Douglas; sister, Esther (Don) Fisher; brother in-law, Bob Foehr, Frank (Marie) Turner, Howard (Edna) Turner; sister in-law, Ida May (Bob) Unger; and nephews, Rick Douglas, Doug Foehr, Jack Turner, and Steve Unger; nieces, Ann Graham and Bobbye Sue Alexander.
Memorial Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 11:00 a.m., at Messiah Lutheran Church, 40 Houbolt Road, Joliet. A Family Memorial Service will take place on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Ware’s Grove Lutheran Church, Butler, Illinois. A brief graveside service and luncheon will follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Erma’s name to Messiah Lutheran Church or to Samaritans Purse would be appreciated.
For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com
