An avid curler who founded the Turner Curling Museum, a lifelong resident of the area and active community member, Don Turner, passed away in Weyburn on Dec. 19 at the age of 86 years.

Born on May 17, 1920 in Yellow Grass, he grew up in Yellow Grass and attended school in Yellow Grass and McTaggart, and subsequently farmed in the McTaggart area from 1937 to 1983. He married Elva Campbell on Oct. 4, 1940, in Yellow Grass. The couple had two daughters, Shirley and Sharon.

His involvement in curling began in 1945 when he first took up the sport, and then as a new curler helped Harry Church make the ice at the old rink, later being involved in making draws and ice for many curling events.

He went on to become president of the Weyburn Curling club in 1960, and served as the secretary-manager for 10 years. Don was later made an honourary life member of the Weyburn Curling Club Don was also president of the Weyburn Agricultural Society in 1965, served as secretary-manager for two years and was made an honourary life member, and before that was chair of the building committee that built the present-day Curling Rink and Ag Society office in 1961.

Long-time local curler Dean Miller recalled that it was due in part to Don's efforts that the current curling facility was built.

"He helped spearhead the building, and helped negotiate between the city and the Ag Society, and then he ran the place for quite a while. They didn't make a lot of money, but they kept their heads above water to keep the place open," said Miller.

In 1972, Don received the "Scotty Richardson Award" for his contribution to curling. His interests then broadened to include national and international curling, as he was on the Silver Broom committee in 1973, and chaired International Day. For the Brier in 1976, he was a host driver, and in 1983 was again on the Silver Broom committee. He and Elva travelled to take in the Silver Broom also, attending about 10 of the world championships, and Don also served on the executive of the Saskatchewan Curling Association for six years.

His collection of pins and curling memorabilia began in 1974 in the basement of their home, and they began hosting visits from curling enthusiasts, and even bus and school tours. The collection outgrew their home, and in February of 1991, the Turners cut the ribbon to the new home of their curling museum in the Leisure Centre where it has remained for the past 15 years.

In 1998, Don was named to the Governor General's Curling Club in Ottawa, and the special jacket he received is on display in the museum. The museum was inducted into the Wall of Fame of the Soo Line Historical Museum, and in 2005 the museum was honoured in the builder category of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.

The Turner Curling Museum holds the distinction of having the largest collection of historical curling items in the world, including a pin collection that numbers more than 18,000.

Aside from curling, Don also served on city council for two years, and was on the Weyburn Union Hospital board for 10 years, serving as chair for six of those years. He was awarded the Chamber of Commerce's Golden Spike Award in 1985, and the same year he chaired Weyburn's first Oil and Gas Show.

Don and Elva have lived in Weyburn since he retired from farming in 1983, and he has followed the curling and hockey involvement of his daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The funeral service was a graveside service held on Dec. 22 at Hillcrest Cemetery where he was interred.