Jane Mildred Segelke Pesnell Turner, of El Dorado, passed away on January 5, 2019 at Oak Ridge Nursing Home. Even though the last few years she didn’t recognize her family, she still laughed and loved and greeted all who came to visit her. She was quite famous at the nursing home since she was their oldest resident, at 105 years and 8 months.
Jane was born on April 2, 1913 in East St. Louis, IL, the daughter of George and Mayanna Segelke. Jane grew up in Pasedena, CA, when they still had orange groves in the city! She met Austell Pesnell there, and they were married in 1935. Austell fought in WWII and then they made their way east, following the oil industry, eventually coming to El Dorado.
Jane is survived by her two sons, Larkus (Terri) of Shirley, AR and Christopher of Fairfield Bay, AR, 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and daughter-in-law Dana Aclin. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Mary Ellen Wells of El Dorado and three nieces, Janet Donavan and Sue Raymond, both of Thorton, CO and Stephanie Wells of El Dorado, AR. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Austell and her second husband, W. A. Turner, as well as her brothers George and Bruce Segelke.
Jane raised her boys in El Dorado, and attended First United Methodist Church, where she was active in her Circle and in her sewing club. In 1961, Jane and Austell moved to Argentina where he worked for Delta Drilling Co. Austell died there in an accident in 1963, and Jane returned to El Dorado.
Upon coming home, Jane focused on family and worked at First National Bank. That is where she met W. A. Turner and they were married in 1973. Both were very involved grandparents, teaching the grandkids fishing, cooking, sewing, and instilling a love for life. There were many happy gatherings at the home on Stroud Avenue and memorable celebrations of Jane’s 90th and 100th birthdays.
Jane had a strong faith in God that helped her through the good times and bad. She treated all those around her as her brother or sister. She was generous and happy whenever people were around her. She will be missed by many because she loved many.
A commemoration of Jane’s life will be held at First United Methodist Church (Chapel), 201 S. Hill St., El Dorado 71730 at 11am on January 21, 2019. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to First United Methodist Church, The Arkansas Library for the Blind at 900 W. Capitol Ave, Ste 110, Little Rock, AR 72201, or the Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado at 1201 N. West Ave, El Dorado, AR 71730.
An online guest registry will be available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com