John Richard Turner

John Richard Turner—or Rich, as he preferred to be called—was born on December 2, 1942, in Clinton County, Indiana, to the late John Russell Turner and Thelma Annabelle (Quick) Turner. He was raised in the small town of Kirklin, Indiana. He graduated from DePauw University in June 1965, then attended the Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington, graduating on June 10, 1968.

As a newly minted attorney-at-law, Rich began working at the Legal Services Office (LSO) of Indianapolis. Fortunately, he also took on a second assignment with LSO, working as a public defender at the Marion County Juvenile Court. There, he met the love of his life, Evelyn Ilona Ridley. They were married on December 23, 1979, and renewed their vows in a beautiful ceremony on December 21, 2019. Rich later worked as a commissioner in the Marion County probate court for several years and was then appointed magistrate judge in the same court. He served in that capacity until he retired from the Indiana state judicial system in January of 2018.

Although a lawyer by profession, Rich’s real love was farming. He started farming with his uncle and grandfather at the age of seven and, along with his brother, continued farming until 2023 when he was no longer physically able to do so. In addition to farming, Rich adored hanging out with his family; for him, nothing was better than taking vacations with them. He was also an avid walker and set out each day to cover a few miles. To prepare for a wedding they were planning to attend, Rich and Evelyn started taking ballroom dancing classes so they could cut a rug and shine on the dance floor. Although the music choices at the wedding didn’t really allow them to show off their newly-acquired techniques, they ended up continuing the lessons for the next 10 years! Late in life, his son Jason introduced Rich to birding. Rich very much enjoyed and had a great eye for the activity. He was also a lifelong Democrat, who worked the polls during elections, as well a huge supporter of Indiana University athletics, and could regularly be seen wearing Hoosier apparel.

Rich was a genuinely kind individual. He was a good man, a humble and compassionate soul, and a great father, uncle, and grandfather. He truly loved his family more than anything. Even after his health took a sharp decline in 2025, that aspect of his personality never changed or wavered.

Rich died peacefully in his sleep at his Indianapolis home in the early morning hours of August 7, 2025. He was eighty-two years old. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Ilona Ridley-Turner, sons Jeffrey and Jason (Alyse) Turner, granddaughter Elizabeth Iris, brother James Mark (Dale) Turner, brother-in-law Martin (Sheila) Ridley, four nieces, a nephew, a great-nephew, and three great-nieces, several close cousins, and good friends. Rich was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy Rogers, and nephew John Rogers.

Services will be held on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. The viewing begins at 9:00 AM at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 4600 N. Illinois Street, and is followed by the funeral mass at 10:30 AM. The service will be followed by interment at Crown Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church or A Caring Place, Catholic Charities Indianapolis, 1400 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46202.