Alphine R. Turnbaugh
Alphine Rose Turnbaugh was born February 26, 1933, in St. Louis, MO to William Peter and Opal (Irwin) Hoefler. She departed this life on February 12, 2023, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, MO at the age of 89 years, 11 months, and 17 days.
Alphine married Don Turnbaugh in 1952, and their love was blessed with five children, eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. As a wife and mother, Alphine was not only a homemaker, but also a career woman who enjoyed her work as a bank teller. Through serving as president of the local PTA and as the leader of a 4-H troop, Alphine was involved with many of her children’s activities, providing guidance and support for her children both inside and outside their home.
Alphine professed her faith in Jesus Christ early in her childhood, and the light of her faith brightened the way for all of those around her. Alphine and her husband Don were involved with church and ministry work. In recent years, Alphine attended Maness Memorial Baptist Church in Cabool and continued her support of missions. Her faith was strong and blessed those who knew her. She witnessed faithfully to her family, praying that they would receive salvation so they could join her in Heaven.
Alphine spent her final years making friends at her home in Cabool. She enjoyed attending church services, following the St. Louis Cardinals, reading books, watching game shows, working on puzzles, and doing word searches. She never stopped making friends and touching the lives of those around her with kindness and joy, and she will be missed by countless friends as well as her loving family. She always said that we can never know what God is doing or using. “In all things, give thanks.” 1 Thessalonians 5:15
Alphine was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings Shirley, Bill, Norman, Nadine, and Bob, her husband, and her son Donald Turnbaugh, Jr.
She is survived by her sister Dolores Whittaker of St. Peters, MO; devoted daughters Becky Fisher (and husband Lloyd) of Fordland, MO; Regina Starcher of Muldrow, OK; Patrice Ducette of Tewksbury, MA; and Dorina Gardner of Willow Spring, NC; grandchildren David Fisher (Brittney) of Colorado; Jennifer Fisher (Andy), of Kansas; Tim Moore of Oklahoma; Jeannie Starcher of Texas; Nick Ducette of Massachusetts; Chad Gardner (Joye) of Georgia; Don Turnbaugh III and Johnathon Turnbaugh of Texas; great-grandchildren Brooklyn Fisher, Kayln Saunders, Jalen Williams, Stormie Moore, Seth Ruchalski, Carter, Jasper and Serenity Oglesby; and great-great-granddaughter, Raqayi Thurman.
A celebration of life for Alphine is planned for a later date at the time of her interment with her husband Don in Jefferson Barracks Veterans Cemetery in St. Louis, MO, under the direction of Fraker Funeral Home of Marshfield, MO.
Donations earmarked for missions in remembrance of Alphine can be sent to Maness Memorial Baptist Church, Davis and Blair Streets, Cabool, MO 65689.