Sandra Aileen (Cooper) Turner, native of Harrisburg

Sandra Aileen (Cooper) Turner, 82, passed away peacefully on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria after a brief illness. She faced numerous medical challenges over the years with resilience, including overcoming pancreatic cancer.

Born on Aug. 14, 1942, in Harrisburg, Sandra was the daughter of Lee Franklin and Ollie Virginia Thompson. Following her mother's passing in 1944, she was adopted and raised by her maternal grandparents, William Dennis and Flora May Cooper.

A graduate of Eldorado High School in 1960, Sandra began her career as a secretary at the local electric company. In 1964, she married William Raymond "Tim" Turner, and together they moved to Virginia to pursue civil service careers while starting their family. They later returned to Eldorado to raise their four children, remaining there for nearly four decades before relocating to Pekin after Tim's retirement to be closer to family. Most recently, Sandra resided at Arcadia Care in Morton.

Sandra was a devoted member of Eldorado First Baptist Church, where she enjoyed leading group exercise classes and participating in the women's group. She was an avid crocheter who created cherished heirloom pieces for friends and family. Over the years, she worked for Ron Clark Insurance and Ferrell Hospital but found her greatest joy as a stay-at-home mother.

She is survived by her children: Lisa (Carl) Cappabianca of Madison, Wis.; Tim (Heidi) Turner of Pekin; Dennis (Heidi) Turner of Nashville, Tenn.; and Todd Turner of Monterey, Calif.; as well as five grandchildren, Daniel and Kirsten Cappabianca, Morgan Turner, and Aurora and Adam Turner.

Sandra was preceded in death by her husband Tim; her parents and grandparents; her brother Dennis Cooper; and her sister Elizabeth Lauterbach.

A private memorial service and burial will be held at a later date.