Paul T. Turis

The Lord called His servant, Paul Thomas Turis, 92, of Springfield, Illinois to his eternal rest at 8:15 a.m. on October 14, 2015 at Pleasant Hill Village, Girard, Illinois.

He was born in Detroit, Michigan on December 20, 1922, the son of Paul Thomas and Mary Ravas Turis. He was baptized with water and the Word in January 1923. He married Anna Mary Chani on February 15, 1947, at First Slovak Evangelical Lutheran Church, Delray, MI. Anna preceded him in death on March 15, 2005. He was also preceded in death by his parents; sisters Ruth Balog, Helen Szalay, Olga Marcis and Ethel Marton.

Paul was a graduate of Southwestern High School in Detroit, MI. He was a veteran of WWII, serving in the U.S. Army (1943-1946). He attended the Michigan Technical Institute in Detroit, graduating as an electrician. Shortly after, he was employed by Anaconda Copper. Paul finished out his career as an electrician with Ford Motor Company in Detroit, from which he retired in 1985.

He was a longtime member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Taylor, MI. Upon moving to Springfield, Illinois in 2005, he became a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Springfield, IL.

Paul is survived by his only child, Cathleen Mary (husband Russell) Benning, of Springfield, IL; grandchildren Jonathan (wife Jordan) Benning of St. Paul, MN, Paul (wife Jessica) Benning of Springfield, IL, and Rev. David (wife Rachel) Benning of New Berlin, IL, Jarrod (wife Kasie) Scronce of Mokena, IL; great-grandchildren Bralynn, Quartey, Michael, Clarence, Caroline, Kathryn, Andrew, Olivia and Truman Benning; his sister, Mildred Hatlak of Woodhaven, MI, his sister-in-law Sue Mesiarik of Nashville, TN, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 2645 Old Jacksonville Road in Springfield, at 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 18, 2015 with the Rev. Aaron Schnelle officiating.  Visitation will be 2-8pm Friday, October 23 at Weise Funeral Home, 7210 Park, Allen Park, MI (313-382-1150). Funeral services will be conducted at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 9601 Pardee Rd, Taylor, MI, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2015, with the Rev. David Benning officiating. Burial will be at Glen Eden Cemetery in Livonia, MI.

Memorials may be made to either of the following: Trinity Lutheran Church, Springfield, IL and marked Renovation Project, which will be used to improve handicapped accessibility within the church; or Our Savior’s Lutheran School, Springfield, IL and marked Student Assistance Fund. To God be the glory!