In loving memory of Evelyn Marie Turner, who graced this world with her presence on October 19, 1933, in St. Joseph, MO, and departed on July 14, 2024, in Springfield, MO. A fearless woman, Evelyn overcame tragedy to excel in non-traditional rolls while maintaining her vibrant spirit as an elegant lady.

Evelyn was the first child and only daughter of Forest Andrew and Addie Virginia (Creager) Dischner. Her brother Robert was born a short time after Evelyn, and Don completed the family several years later. Evelyn greatly enjoyed her high school years as a Majorette.  She spent hours tirelessly practicing her baton twirling to perfect her performances.  It was in high school that she met her first love, William Kyle Johnson.  The high school sweethearts were married in 1952. The happy couple welcomed their first child, Cynthea, in 1953.  Evelyn’s next two children, Billy Guy and Glenda Lee, unfortunately, did not survive infancy.  Evelyn and William parted ways following this tragedy with Evelyn continuing on as a single parent.  William went on to have a second family. Evelyn welcomed his daughter from that family, Catherine, into her heart, and they became very important to one another.

From 1966 to 1978 Evelyn lived in California.  Upon arrival, she desperately needed a job and the job that needed workers was that of driving a school bus.  Her brother helped her by showing her the shift pattern on the bus so that when she went in for the job interview, she was familiar with how to work the gears. When the interviewer asked, “Can you drive a bus?”  She declared boldly, “Of course, I can!” And the rest is the history of a distinguished career, taking trophies in school bus obstacle course “rodeos” competitions, including one first place, teaching defensive driving, operating city busses in California and Missouri, and qualifying to drive semis.  Evelyn had an amazing career driving school buses in California, Pennsylvania and then Missouri. In the 1980s, Evelyn became a dispatcher for OATS, the Older Adults Transportation Service, writing the operations manual and newsletter for that organization. She then became a dispatcher for Bass Pro Boats, where she organized the delivery schedules of boats.  In 1984 she completed an AA in business from Rutledge College in Springfield.

Evelyn was married from 1972 to 1977 to George Dupire, a WWII veteran. They enjoyed an active life of hunting, fishing, and camping in California and the southern mid-west. In the mid 1980’s Evelyn met Wright “Bud” Edmond Turner, Jr., also a WWII veteran.  They married on June 23, 1990, in Williamsport, Maryland. Bud lived to indulge her merest whim!  With a keen appreciation for the finer things of life, but limited means to enjoy such, Evelyn created her own opportunities to include elegance in her life. She had an eye for interior decorating and used thrift store finds to create beautiful spaces.  Evelyn and Bud shared nearly eight wonderful years, living and traveling on the eastern seaboard before his untimely passing on June 11, 1996.   Widowed early in life, Evelyn traveled often to Alaska to see her daughter, actually driving the Alcan three times.

In 1998, Evelyn moved back to Springfield to care for her mother, youngest brother, and several nieces and nephews. She went into retail and specialized in the sale of antiques and jewelry.  She became very knowledgable in the quality and history of both as she continued to work at JC Penny’s, Montgomery Ward’s, Dillard’s and several flea markets, one of which she managed. Evelyn eventually retired from work in 2020, but, if it had not been for the pandemic, she would have kept working! It was good for her, and she was a flamboyant moment in her customers’ visits.  She heartily enjoyed talking and laughing with the people who came to her counters.

Evelyn loved and lived life to the fullest. She had more interests than she had time to explore.  She loved birds and flowers, animals and nature, travel and knowledge. She had hundreds of books on her shelves and could talk about them all.  She lived in several different states during her life and traveled from Florida to Alaska.  When she couldn’t travel in person, she would travel with pictures, books and stories.  Evelyn was one of those people that you notice, really notice.  Her appearance was always intentional, she meant what she said, she got what she wanted — she could be feisty. You knew that Evelyn was in the building.  But she was also a kind honest, genuine, gracious lady.  If you didn’t know her, you missed something special.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, Forest and Addie Dischner; her beloved husband, Bud Turner; her brother, Robert Dischner; and her two infant children, Billy Guy and Glenda Lee Johnson.

She leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion, cherished by her daughter, Dr. Cynthea Ainsworth and her husband, Jim, step daughter Catherine Abbott and her husband, Mark; as well as her brother, Don Dischner, grandson Vincent Abbott, and beloved nieces and nephews, Donald Dischner and his wife, Treasure, Travis Dischner, Annie Dischner and Lisa Dischner; and her great nephews and nieces, D.J., Robbie, Mikayla and Olivia Dischner.   Their hearts are filled with memories of her kindness, wisdom, and unwavering love.

Evelyn passed from this life on July 14, 2024 surrounded by her loving family. Her light and unique zest for life will be greatly missed.

A Celebration of Life to honor Evelyn’s remarkable journey will take place on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Greenlawn Funeral Home North. Friends and family are invited to join together in remembrance of a life well-lived and a soul deeply cherished.

In honoring Evelyn’s wishes, she will be laid to rest with her husband, Bud, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA at a later date. As we bid farewell to this extraordinary woman, may her light continue to shine brightly in our hearts, guiding us with her spirit of grace and beauty.

Contributions in Evelyn’s memory may be made to the National Audubon Society, Inc. by visiting their site:

National Audubon Society