Gillaspie, Mary Turner

Mary Turner Gillaspie, 99, died Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at the English Valley Care Center, North English, Iowa.

Mary Belle Turner was born Oct. 2, 1912, in Monroe County, Iowa, to Bertha Trowbridge Turner and Earl C. Turner. She graduated from Albia High School in 1931 and taught at Spencer Country School at Hiteman. She married Grover Gillaspie on April 23, 1932, in Milan, Mo. Grover and Mary farmed in Blakesburg, Albia, and Pulaski areas. After Grover's death Mary remained on the Pulaski farm until fall 2001 when she moved to Williamsburg, Iowa. She became a resident of English Valley Care Center, July 2003.

She is survived by sons, David of Hiawatha and John of Williamsburg; one daughter, Lela Rose Sherman of Pulaski; eight grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Corena Davis of California.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Sam and Earl; one, sister Betty Christler; and son-in-law, William Sherman.

She was cremated. Committal services at Eslinger Cemetery, Albia, Iowa, at a later date.

Powell Funeral Home North English is assisting the family.

Messages and tributes may be sent at under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette March 8, 2012.