Obituary: Joseph Malcolm Turk

Joseph Malcolm Turk (1949 – 2019)

Joseph Malcolm Turk, age 69, of Manchester, Michigan, died Saturday, March 9, after a two and a half year battle with glioblastoma brain cancer. He was born September 7, 1949, in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Joseph Micheal and Beatrice Ellen (Nordengren) Turk.

Surviving are his wife, Nancy Flint, four sons; Justin (Julie) Turk, Kevin Turk, Eric (Angie) Flint, and Jason (Kira) Flint; and six grandchildren, Emerson and Hudson Turk, Chase, Isaac, Serenity and Savanah Flint. He is also survived by two brothers, Gregory (Sandi) Turk and Michael (Linda) Turk, brother-in laws Richard (Nicki) Kennedy and Randall (Karen) Bennett, and several nieces and nephews.

Joe was a graduate of St. Edwards High School in Cleveland, Ohio. He received his degree in electrical engineering from University of Detroit, and his MBA at Eastern Michigan. He worked at Ford Motor Company in Milan as the plant engineering manager, and then coaching lean manufacturing with Visteon, retiring in 2008. In addition to his love for his family, Joe greatly enjoyed photography and ballroom dancing. His true passion was teaching and helping others. He loved being part of the mission team with Sharon United Methodist Church, making six trips to work with the people of Mizak, Haiti, teaching a group of Haitians electrical theory, and he was integral in designing and then maintaining their solar and electrical systems. He also served on the board of directors for (HAPI) Haitian Artisans for Peace International. Joe was involved in many community service projects over the years, including serving on the Manchester Community Schools Board of Education from 1989 through 1998, and was an original supporter of the Manchester Community Schools Foundation. In addition to his work in Haiti, he truly enjoyed volunteering as a member of the “Thursday” building crew for Jackson Habitat for Humanity.

The Funeral Service will be Friday, March 15, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. from the Sharon United Methodist Church, Manchester, MI with Pastor Pete Harris and Fr. William Rowland officiating. Burial will follow the service at Rowes Corner Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea, MI on Thursday, March 14, 2019 from 2-8 p.m. Memorial Contributions may be made to Sharon United Methodist Church.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.