Earlan F. Turner

    Fort Fairfield – Earlan F. Turner, 71, husband of Ardith (Hill ) Turner, died Thursday evening, October 25, 2007 at his Fort Fairfield residence, after a long but courageous battle with esophageal cancer. He was born August 9, 1936 in Washburn, the son of Guy E. and Rose (Devoe) Turner.     He attended Mapleton schools and was married to Ardith R. Hill on May 28, 1960. Earlan was well-known though out the County as a skilled automotive and tractor mechanic. He started his career operating an auto repair shop with his brother Donald in Presque Isle and later in Mapleton. He continued his career as a farm tractor and equipment mechanic for several John Deere dealers including J. W. Barnes Company of Fort Fairfield and Roy G. Thompson of Fort Fairfield and Presque Isle. He and his wife Ardith opened “Earlan’s Service” in the early 1980’s, a venture the couple continued to own and operate until Earlan’s retirement in 2003. Earlan was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing and will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
    In addition to his parents, Earlan was predeceased by four brothers, Arnold, Lionel, Clayton and Martin Turner; one sister, Kathryn Higgins. He is survived by his wife of forty-seven years, Ardith R. Turner of Fort Fairfield; four sons, Stewart Turner and his wife Barbara of Caribou, Stephen Turner, Earlan R. Turner and his wife Michelle, all of Fort Fairfield, Clayton Turner of Fort Fairfield and his special friend, Lisa Gagnon of Presque Isle; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Donald and Gwen Turner of Castle Hill, Charles and Beatrice Turner of Wallingford, CT; four sisters, Eva Condon and her husband Winston of Presque Isle, Arlene Essency of Connecticut, Dorothy Holland of Calhoun, GA, Florence Stanish of Oklahoma city, OK; five grandchildren, Taylor, Shane and Kelsey Turner, all of Fort Fairfield, Janelle Zeigler of Woodland, Jason Wark of Caribou; three great- grandchildren, Madison and Jillian Zeigler, both of Woodland, Parker Wark of Caribou; numerous nieces and nephews.
    Friends called Monday, October 29, 2007 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main Street, Fort Fairfield. A memorial service was conducted Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Rev. George McLaughlin officiating. Interment followed at the Riverside Cemetery, Fort Fairfield. A time of continued fellowship with refreshments was held at the VFW Paul Lockhart Post No. 6187, Presque Isle Street, Fort Fairfield, immediately following the interment service. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute in memory of Earlan to Hospice of Aroostook, P.O. Box 688, Caribou, 04736. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.