Jon Paul Turmel

Jon Turmel, 71, passed away suddenly while speaking with his loving wife Lu on March 10, 2024. Jon was born on September 12, 1952 in Nashua, NH to Roger and Claire (Pomerleau) Turmel. Jon graduated from Bishop Guertin High School in 1970 and received a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Conservation from the University of New Hampshire in 1974. In 1976 he received a Master’s of Science in Entomology also from the University of New Hampshire. He worked at the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension Service from 1975-1977. In 1977, he began a dedicated 35-year career as the state Entomologist for Vermont as well as the Vermont Farm Show Manager for 25 years. Jon only retired to be the ‘Manny’ to his two granddaughters. To keep his mind sharp, he was adjunct faculty at the University of Vermont from 1995-2012 and later with Ivy Tech in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Jon was a kind and generous soul as well as a bit of a jokester and will be greatly missed by many. He was an active community member in every community he lived from Barre, VT to Puyallup, WA to Fort Wayne, IN. He has too many community involvements to list but he was extremely passionate with his involvement with the Central Vermont Wavemakers (Barre, VT) where he was the club president and swim referee. Jon was also a Collegiate Swim Referee. He was passionate with the Rotary Club in Fort Wayne and his homeowner’s association. He was a founding member of The Vermont Entomological Society. He was passionate about fishing and gardening. In 1976 he married the love of his life Lucille (Lachance) and was a loving and devoted husband and father for their entire 48 years of marriage. Jon is survived by his wife Lucille; his daughters, Jill (Turmel) Goodrich and husband Scott; and Jennifer Turmel and her fiancé Garret Folsom. His granddaughters who were his pride and joy and as he would say ‘God’s gift for not killing your own’ Samantha Claire Goodrich and Hannah Zoe Goodrich. Jon is also survived by his mother Claire Crouse and her husband George. His sister Debra Eskeland, his sister Robin Simoneau and husband Rene. Sister-in-law Tandra (Turmel) Boilard, Brother-in-Law Paul Lachance and wife Diane. Brother-in-Law Robert Lachance and wife Brenda, Sister-in-Law Karen Salamon and husband Peter. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends and his beloved goldendoodle Logan. He is predeceased by his father Roger Turmel, brother, Lee Turmel and brother-in-law Eric Eskeland. Jon’s wishes were to have a private viewing with his immediate family and be cremated. There will be a visitation and Celebration of Life on Friday, March 15, 2024 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes at 1320 East Dupont Road in Fort Wayne. In lieu of flowers a donation in Jon’s memory to the American Heart Association or Rotary Club of Huntertown District 6540, P.O. Box 326, Huntertown, IN 46748.