Gladys Turner's Obituary
After opening her eyes widely and looking straight toward heaven Lt. Colonel Gladys took a few quick breaths, exhaled, and left this world for the heavenly home her lord has promised. She battled multiple medical issues over the past decade of her life when the Great Physician called her to "come up higher" Gladys was born in St. Louis, Missouri on July 6, 1927, the second daughter of Joseph and Olive (Hawkins) Cointin. Along with her siblings (and due to the proximity of the Salvation Army a few steps from their home) she began attending the Army Sunday school. And from that point in tim until her "Promotion to Glory" it was "God and the Army" all the way! As young teen age Salvationists Gladys found more that a passing interest in young Leon Turner and he felt the same interest in Gladys. Both of them had a mutual calling of God to full time Christian service in the ranks of the Salvation Army. After high school graduation, they were engaged even though they realized the engagement would be a lengthy one. There were age regulations for "courting" as Salvation Army Officer candidates and cadets. Finally the requirements were met (Leon was too young to get married!) when their Divisional Commander joined them as man and wife the day after Leon's 21st birthday Happily and faithfully Gladys took up her duties alongside her husband. Mother-in-charge of their two baby daughters, she also was active with her women's work, assisting with social service responsibilities and youth programming plus selling Army WAR CRY periodicals and other types of fund raising. However, Corps/congregational efforts were paramount for she recognized her mission as being always to point those with whom she came into contact to Christ. Following their last Corps assignment in Springfield, Missouri, they went to a new and unusual setting. Majors Leon and Gladys Turner wer assigned to the St. Louis DHQ. Gladys found her niche in the youth department as Leon was given the Public Relations responsibility covering the Missouri and Southern Illinois area. Further assignments took them toGrand Rapids in the Western Michigan/Northern Indiana headquarters before moving to the Army's National headquarters staff to prepare for the Centennial Congress for the four territories of the USA. Sunday School teaching roles begun as high school students in those early years now brought them to be the coordinators of the largest national gathering of Salvationists up to that time. Gladys was shocked (as was Leon) when they were assigned international leadership roles as the seconds-in-command of evangelism and administration of the seven country territory headquartered in Mexico City. Next they were transferred to four years in Buenos Aires as Chief Secretary, (second in command) for Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. After 8 years of overseas assignments, while Gladys was conducting a Home League rally, in the north of the territory, orders arrived again. This time to the "Wonderful West" ---back to the USA and headquartered in California. Shortly after retirement from their 43 years of service they settled in Clearwater, Florida, but not for long...there were additional calls for service "out of retirement: in Kansas, St. Petersburg, Miami and also in the Bahamas. Again, Gladys was at her sweetheart and help-mae's side, Leon. She is also survived by her daughters; Catherine, RN, CPHQ (Glen) Strang, BS, KAren MSW, LCSW (Dr. Bill, DVM) Bogasch, her grandson, Daniel Strang, MS.Ed, her great-grand daughter Avery Strang, Her siblings Shirley Stoops (Harold deceased). Frank Cointin, Richard Cointin (Yvonne), and Paul Cointin (Mary Ann) as well as many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews
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