Jack Wesley Turpen

He is survived by his wife, Jeanne (Pequignot), who he married on November 6th, 1965. In addition to his wife, Jack is survived by his three sons and their spouses Mike and Lori (Barga) Turpen, Andy and Paula (Monnin) Turpen, and Adam and Heather (Parker) Turpen, five grandchildren Michaela Turpen, Marisa (Turpen) and Alex Groff, Jared Turpen, Joel Turpen, and Morgan (Turpen) and Tyler Rose, four great-grandchildren Quinlan, Ava, and Willow Rose, and Callum Groff, two brothers and their spouses Bob and Dot Turpen and David Turpen and Reggie Brown, sisters-in-law Kay Coons and Nancy Pequignot, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his mother Edna Hussman, father Robert Turpen, and brothers and sisters-in-law Pat and Dick Rauckhorst, Peg and John Baltes, Curly Coons, and Kearney Pequignot.

Jack and Jeanne’s circumstances–his service in the marines, and Jeanne’s years at Good Samaritan School of Nursing–prolonged their “courtship”. Like their song, “Our Day Will Come,” the stars aligned and they finally married. They delighted in each other's presence.

Jack was an avid outdoorsman who loved to be out before dawn to watch the world awaken. He had a great appreciation for nature and observed its subtle nuances.

While Jack found enjoyment in many endeavors, family and friends took top billing. Combining the companionship of family, friends, and the elements was his idea of utopia. The annual trip to visit his “cheesehead” Wisconsin friends for hunting and harassing were some of his and Jeanne’s best memories.

He took up photography and captured anything and everything that interested him–especially nature shoots. Jack also did corporate photography for some fortune 500 companies in Atlanta, Georgia.

Jack was a member of the VHS class of 1961 and the Jaycee’s, a scout leader for Versailles Troop 79, an EMT, and a paramedic. He also conducted town history tours for 3rd grade Versailles students for many years.

He was employed at Argosy and Airstream, working in the research and development department for 32 years. He took great pride and enjoyment in his work and co-workers. Upon retiring, he drove a Cancer Screening R.V. sponsored by Thor Industries throughout the United States.

After retirement, he was able to put in overtime at Creekside, which he referred to as “the office”. There he made many friends and received much support and a lot of laughs.

Jack was an adventurous, devoted husband and a loving father and grandfather. He will live on in our hearts and the hearts of many others with his kind nature, infectious laugh, and incredible handlebar mustache.

Happy trails, dear one.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial donations to:

Heartland Hospice or “Alzheimer’s Foundation of America”

322 8th Ave 16th Floor

New York, NY 10001

or a memorial tree to be planted at one of the parks.

Visitation will be held on January 24, 2024 at 4:00 -7:00 pm and January 25, 2024 at 9:00-10:00 am at Bailey Zechar Funeral Home in Versailles. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on January 25, 2024 at 10:30 am at St. Denis Catholic Church with Fr.James Reutter presiding. Burial will be held on January 25, 2024 at St. Valbert Catholic Cemetery.