Mary Louise Kellermann Turner, a prominent business owner in the agricultural and warbird aviation community, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her children and grandchildren on Monday, August 7, 2023, at the age of 85.
Born, March 19, 1938, to Bruno and Louise Kellermann in New Braunfels, Texas. She spent her childhood at the river as often as she could, fishing and swimming. She enjoyed spending time with her friends and family, gardening, dancing, and bowling. As an adult she worked as a beautician up until she married her husband Orville when they both founded S & T Aircraft out of their garage at home.
After Orville’s passing in 1998, Mary took over as President of S & T Aircraft Accessories, Inc., New Braunfels, and served as an aircraft mechanic as well. Through her tenure at S & T Aircraft she enjoyed traveling to agricultural aviation conventions and meeting people in the industry. For her dedication to the preservation of American World War II Combat Aircraft, she was commissioned as an officer in July of 1989 at the rank of Colonel in the Confederate Air Force and continued to pursue her work in preservation up until her passing.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Orville Lee Turner, and her partner Horst W. Theile. She is survived by her children Nathan Durbin, Natalie Michael, Neal Durbin, Eva Grudzinski, her 12 grandchildren and her 19 great grandchildren.
Services will be held Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at 10am at Lux Funeral Home in New Braunfels, TX followed by interment at Guadalupe Valley Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Mary Turner to the National Agricultural Aviation Association’s Research & Education Foundation (NAAREF) program, to the Commemorative Air Force, the Experimental Aircraft Association or Hope Hospice.
