Roy M. Turk
January 14, 1940 – May 10, 2026

Roy M. Turk of Ashland, OH, passed away on May 10, 2026, at the age of 86. Born January 14, 1940, in Cuyahoga Falls, OH, to the late Robert and Alice (Everett) Turk, Roy lived a life marked by integrity, devotion, service, and community spirit.

Roy is survived by his daughter Susan E. (Turk) Zimmerman (William) and son Kevin R. Turk. He also leaves behind his treasured grandchildren: Charles Zimmerman and his partner, Lauren Sutherland; Mary Beth Zimmerman and her fiancé, Grant Singleton; and Kyle and Morgan Turk.

Following his service in the U.S. Air Force National Guard, Roy pursued a career in meat processing and entrepreneurship. In 1961, he launched what would become a 63-year career at Turk Brothers Custom Meats, which he founded and operated alongside his brother Charles Turk. Not only did Roy and Chuck labor together by day, they raised their families in side-by-side homes, sharing household projects, countless barbecue meals, endless laughter, and an occasional well-placed practical joke.

Roy’s life was defined by service to others and to his community. He was a 59-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Grand Patron in 1987. His Masonic affiliations also included the Free and Accepted Masons, Shriners International, York Scottish Rite, Ashland Blue Lodge 151, Al Koran Shrine Club for more than 50 years. A man of deep faith, Roy was a 70-year member of Ashland First United Methodist Church. He further served his community through the Rotary Club of Ashland, the Ashland Young Men’s Business Association, Ohio and Ashland County Cattlemen Association, Farm Bureau, and 22 years as a Montgomery Township Trustee.

In his leisure, Roy was an avid gardener, coaxing both vegetables and spectacular beds of flowers from the earth with equal pride. He was most at home, however, behind the wheel of his beloved John Deere tractor, mowing the lawn with the same meticulous care he brought to everything he touched. Roy felt most content near water. A day spent fishing, waterskiing, or simply cruising Lake Erie was, in his estimation, a day very well spent.

Always the captain, Roy was exacting in his care of his boats — if a surface didn’t gleam with a fresh coat of wax and every water spot hadn’t been wiped away, the vessel simply wasn’t fit for the lake.

Together with his brother and several lifelong friends, Roy helped found Ashland Depth Divers, a dedicated group of men who taught scuba diving and were called upon for rescue and recovery operations on Lake Erie throughout the late 1960s and 1970s.

Roy was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 66 years, Faye E. (White) Turk, his steadfast partner in all things; brothers Don and Charles Turk; sister Sally (Turk) Schoonover; brother-in-law Gordon Schoonover; sister-in-law Portia Turk; brothers-in-law Philip Crossen and Denis Van Scoy; sister-in-law Doris Harris; his parents-in-law, Ruby and Jay White; and his parents, Alice and Robert Turk.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church with Reverend Tom Snyder presiding. Friends are invited to call on Sunday, May 17, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home. Eastern Star services will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. An additional visitation will be available on Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the church. All are welcome to attend and join in celebrating a remarkable life. Burial will take place at Polk Cemetery, where Roy will at last take his rightful place beside his adored and cherished Faye, his final resting place overlooking the boyhood farm where he was raised.

Following the service, the family warmly invites all who gather to share in a time of fellowship, food, and remembrance, the kind of afternoon Roy would have loved.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Veteran’s Appreciation Events, c/o: Mr. Tim Chandler, 960 Woodview Drive, Ashland, Ohio 44805.

For those unable to attend, online condolences may be shared on the funeral home’s website at denbowfh.com.

Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory is handling the arrangements.

Funeral Home: Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home

Website: denbowfh.com