Francis J. Turley, 94, of Holton, KS passed away April 10, 2014 at Crestview Manor in Seneca. He was born June 21, 1919 in Soldier, KS the son of Jesse and Helen (McCann) Turley.

Francis graduated from Ellis High School in 1939. He proudly served in the United States Army during WWII; earning American Defense Medal, American Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Francis worked for Don Armstrong as a carpenter until hired as a bus driver for Jackson Heights School District for over 30 years; during that time he joined Jackson County Mounted Sheriff's Posse and retired as Captain.

Francis enjoyed his kids on the bus. He also enjoyed the trips to Cheyenne, WY for the Frontier Days Rodeo during the summers, trips into the Snowy Range Mountains to fish and ride horses and Lawrence Poinsettia Festival Parade in which he participated for several years.

He was a member of the Circleville United Methodist Church, Holton V.F.W. Post #1367, Circleville Masonic Lodge and was active in organizing Jackson Heights Honor Flights.

Francis married Jonnie (Crain) Oliver on May 19, 1972 in Geneva, NE. She survives of the home. Other survivors include 5 daughters, Lorraine Wilson (Chris) of Provo, UT, Becky Bruningsen (Jerry) of Prosser, NE, Debbie Wessel (Marvin) of Lansing, KS, Diana Martin (Jerry) of Covington, GA and Donna Peters (Lee) of Circleville, KS; 2 sons, Steve Turley of Glenwood Springs, CO and Don Oliver (Kim) of Holton, KS; 2 sisters, Phyllis Schuster of Hayes, KS and Donna Dick of Livingston, TX and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, Dustin Turley and a brother, Wayne Turley.

Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial with full military honors will be in the Soldier Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the Jackson Heights Honor Flight c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.