Turner first became associated with churches of Christ through a prison ministry when he was serving a four-year sentence, having been convicted in 1986 for tax fraud by setting up a fake church for the purpose of selling tax-evasion schemes.

After being baptized in 1986, Turner encouraged his daughter to attend the church of Christ. She has remained an active and faithful Christian to the present time.

Turner published a book in 1990 entitled, ‘Tax free. How the super rich do it’. He had set up a new organization through which he sold offshore tax evasion schemes.

After an investigation by the IRS, Turner and one of his clients, Daniel J. Leveto, were indicted on February 15, 2001. Both men left the United States.

Turner went to Sint-Maarten, which was one of the locations of his off-shore scheme, then to Holland, South Africa (where he met Leveto) and then to India.

Leveto went to Belize, then to South Africa (where he met Don), Mexico, and Canada.

Leveto was arrested in March of 2004 at a Hubbard, Ohio truck stop. He was convicted of tax fraud on October 14, 2005 and sentenced to 46 months in prison. He appealed but lost the appeal.

The scheme involved Leveto’s selling his business to a sham foreign trust purportedly located in the Turks and Caicos Islands. All profits were distributed to another sham foreign trust creating the illusion that the profits were distributed as foreign source income to foreign beneficiaries, eliminating US income tax liability. Using debit cards he then channeled the profits back to himself in the US.

When Turner went to Sint-Maarten in 2001 he claimed he was going as a missionary and he associated with local churches of Christ.

Later that year, he went to Holland where he continued to promote his tax-evasion scheme. Roy Davison, although he did not know about the indictment, warned people who had been approached by Turner that the scheme was illegal.

From Holland Turner went to South Africa and then finally went to India in February of 2004. There he also claimed he was doing mission work. He arranged for two young boys to live with him, although they were not orphans, promising to care for them financially. He used their pictures as he tried to raise funds.

In India he set up a program called America’s Medical Solutions to help people in the West go to India for less-expensive medical treatment and to help Indian doctors and nurses find employment in the West.

When in the US raising funds for his activities in India, he learned that he was still wanted although it had been more than ten years since his indictment, so he turned himself in at Erie, Pennsylvania in July, 2010, rather than waiting to be arrested.

He was held in supervised custody at Diocesan Lodge until his trial in September, 2011, and his sentencing in January, 2012. After sentencing he was taken directly from the court to prison.

His final weeks were lived at Hospice Niagara where he was tenderly cared for. He lived a good and eventful life. David was born in St. Catharines, Ontario to William G. and Gladys Ralph Hallett on Oct. 11, 1935. His parents and oldest brother, Edward, are deceased. Surviving are brothers Fred (Dianne), Bruce (late wife Nancy), Dennis (Sandra) and William and his sister Joyce Andy Bernais).

David attended Memorial and Central Public Schools. He joined the Royal Canadian Navy at 19 and trained as a cook. On shore leave, he spent much time with the Church of Christ in Halifax. After the Navy he trained as a nursing orderly. When an opportunity came to accompany a team of teachers and preachers into the restricted tribal areas of northeastern India, David said, “Yes.” During the next 30 years, 1963- 1993, because he was needed, he “wore many hats”: missionary, teacher, minister, counselor, protector, nurse, cook, all-around “uncle”.

Highly respected in the community, he came to be called, “The Teacher”. David became director of Alpha Bible College in remote Shillong. This hostel provided safety and opportunity for young tribal men to finish high school, university level courses and to study the Bible. David remained in India through difficult times: dangers, turmoil, food shortages, political upheaval, tribal warfare, curfews and military alerts.

After 30 years, due to severe health problems, he returned to Canada to stay. Many of his former students (government officials, police officers, bankers, and high ranking military officers) came to tell him goodbye.

GRAND BLANC, Mich., (BNc) - Members of the Grand Blanc church mourn the passing of one of its longtime members on Dec. 2.

Wilma Kilgore, 83, died at the Pines of Burton in Burton, Mich. Her funeral was conducted on Dec. 5 at Brown Funeral Home in Grand Blanc.

In the funeral sermon, Sister Kilgore’s life was compared to Paul’s words to Timothy as an example “in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12ESV).

Sister Kilgore was born on Mar. 21, 1928 in Flint, Mich. She retired from General Motors in 1984 after 30 years of service. Survivors include two sons, Gary D. and Frederick Stan Kilgore; six grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Stancil, in 1976.

Bernice “Bonnie” Mable Cronk (1923-2011)

MOUNT JULIET, Tenn. (BNc) — “She was a very beautiful woman with a winning smile.” So someone said recently, summing up the first impression one would have upon meeting Bonnie Cronk.

Many of us grew to love her and her late husband, Jack Sr., in the winter of their lives. Even then she was a lovely lady inside and out. The deeper impression Bonnie would leave was her inner beauty.

This woman displayed loyalty, wisdom, and courage much like Queen Esther. Just as Queen Esther, who was a beautiful young woman, rose above her trials of being an orphan to sit on the throne as a queen, so Bonnie overcame as well. Bonnie was born in Kalkaska, Mich., into a family with an alcoholic father and a mother who played the piano on skid row. As a little girl Bonnie spent time there.

She and her brother were placed in a orphanage for a period of time during her childhood. Later, when her mother married another man, he adopted them. Life still was not perfect, but Bonnie was always thankful for being able to go back home.

As a young woman her beauty was like one would expect from a movie star. One day she had two young men to ask her out. When asked which one she would go out with, she replied “whichever one arrives first.” Jack was the first and lucky man! She said she liked him, but thought he was a little cocky and stuck on himself. But after about 68 years of marriage we can see it all worked out very well.

Although Bonnie had occasionally attended churches before meeting Jack, he introduced her to her Lord and his church. Jack and Bonnie were an Aquila and Priscilla type of couple! The church was richly blessed everywhere they lived. They worked as a team.

He served as an elder and she as the elder’s wife for over 30 years. Often when he would do personal Bible studies she would go with him to support the work. At times she taught children’s classes.

One of her places in life was to keep the home strong and cared for during the many years Jack was a salesman. Can you imagine how many hours she spent waiting, with a husband who was a salesman by trade and an elder in the Lord’s church? She is remembered as patient, athletic, frugal, loyal, and had a great sense of humor.

Jack and Bonnie spent the first portion of their marriage in Michigan, then 30 years in Florida, and later retired in Mt Juliet. We are thankful they spent some years here in MJ. They blessed this family of God’s people just as they had in Michigan and Florida.

Bonnie’s work continues to follow her even in this congregation. One of her two children was Jack Cronk, Jr. She was always so proud when Jack Jr., a deacon here at MJ, taught class or led prayer. Her daughter-in-law Nanette, is a faithful part of our family.

The last few years have been difficult for Bonnie, but her family has lovingly cared for her.

We will miss her dearly, but are comforted by knowing that a daughter of the King has crossed over toward a great reward and reunion! To God be the glory and from him we seek our comfort!

Mrs. Cronk died Monday, Nov. 21, 2011. Funeral services were conducted Nov. 23 at the Mt. Juliet church building.

MCKINNEY, Tex. (BNc) - Long-time missionary and worker for French mission, Jerrel Rowden, passed away Nov. 24, at the age of 77. Jerrel is survived by his wife, Christiane, and two sons.

It is difficult to recount all the contributions that Jerrel and Christiane made to missions in the French-speaking world. Besides working with churches in Reims, France, and Québec City, Canada, they established a printing ministry which served the French-speaking world for over forty years.

The Rowdens moved the printing ministry in 1998 to Desoto, Tex. They eventually were supported by the Cedar Hill, Tex., church and installed the printed ministry in a facility behind their building. This work was transferred to Barry Baggott and to Nashville in 2007 when Jerrel’s health took a turn for the worse.

During the last few years, Jerrel had the loving care of his wife, Christiane, and the concern and prayers of a host of fellow workers and friends. Christiane Rowden can be contacted at 1625 Landon Lane, McKinney, TX 75071 – Tel. 972-569-6992

Linda woke and opened her eyes to see her breath in the cold air. The two or so inches of quilts that pinned her to the bed were covered in a thin layer of frost sparkling like diamonds in the brilliant morning sun that broke through the cracks in the walls.

She jumped to her feet on this cold November morning in Light, Ark., knowing that she would see the love of her life later that day.

Maybe, just maybe, today would be the day she dreamed of – as all little girl’s dream of – maybe today she would marry her true love.

Check (Chuck as he later was called) laid out his best suit of clothes: the Airman First Class uniform issued him from Shepherd Air Force base. He made sure it was pressed and the creases were perfectly straight. He ate the meager breakfast of fried bologna and biscuits, kissed his momma, and rushed out to the ’49 Ford to make sure it could make the trip from Pocahontas to pick up his lady-in-waiting, the absolute love of his life, his very own girl that he’d dreamt of throughout basic and tech school.

Today was going to be the biggest day of his life. He was going to make Linda his bride.

Check pulled up, sprang from the car, gazed into Linda’s eyes and asked, “Will you go with me?” Linda buried her head into his chest and said “Yes”.

They rushed off secretly to the preacher. They were married. Linda Faye Hurn was now Linda Faye Waggoner. They had taken their vows and meant every word of them. They were determined, as 18- and 19-years.olds may determine, to keep these vows forever and ever. Now to tell her father. The starry-eyed lovers did not know it, but facing her father would be only the first of many obstacles in the years to come.

One and then two beautiful daughters blessed Check and Linda. Later, they had a son. Three children in all. Except the baby which miscarried. Miscarriages, it seems, were much more common back then. The loss of a child was a part of many people’s lives. So, Chuck and Linda did the only thing they could: they went on with life. They were strong. Their hard lives and Christian rearing made this look natural.

They moved up north and Chuck planted the seeds of a new dream, an elusive dream of being a country music star, a dream sown in taverns, bars, and night clubs. A dream watered with whisky and nourished by neon lights. A dream that somehow outshown the luster of all dreams before it.

He could make it. He could break out of the generational curse of sweating his life away as a mechanic and do what his father almost did when he played mandolin for Porter Wagoner – play for the best, the most famous, and make it big in Nashville.

The allure of being a musician set many traps and temptations. Alcohol, late nights, road trips, and women (never a good combination for a family man) grew into abuse, shoving matches, and fist fights. The starry-eyed lovers were now in a living hell.

One thing was for certain, though: Linda was not going to give up on her marriage. She was petite and spry, red-headed and hot-tempered. She was not going to let Chuck be swept away by country music, loose women, or even his own desire to end the marriage.

Linda still believed what she learned as a little girl in the sharecroppers’ shack, late at night by kerosene light. “When you make a promise, its forever. When you get married, its forever. No matter what!”

Months turned into years and then decades. Linda was moved around from state to state, home to home, and even abandoned twice by her groom who was restless in his search for stardom.

But she remained steadfast, lonely, night after night. In the dark of her room she whispered prayers and pleadings for her man and his soul. And Chuck busted his knuckles day after day as a mechanic, bent over the hoods of cars with agonizing back pain, all the while wishing, hoping, and longing to make it big.

Finally after 48 years of marriage, it happened in a small church in Clarksville, Tenn. Chuck looked at Linda and again asked, “Will you go with me?” Linda again answered, “Yes.”

Without hesitation the two of them walked down the aisle where Chuck, through tear-filled eyes, professed, “I believe Jesus is the Son of God, and I want to be saved.” He was baptized and born again into a new life, a new future, and a new, even brighter dream.

Chuck finally laid to rest the deceitful limelight that had robbed so much of his life. He resurrected what he had first envisioned in 1961. And as for Linda, her prayers had been answered. Finally, after years and years, her man woke up and her husband now was saved. She fought the dragon, refused to be slain, and stood victorious!

Just a year and a half later, on Oct. 30, 2010, Linda stood by her man again. This time for the last time, in the physical sense, as he lay dying in the hospital bed in their home.

Chuck, could not, would not, take his eyes off of Linda. His eyes locked on hers and hers on his. He struggled for breath, as his chest, boney and frail, rose with each effort. The death rattles had set in.

Linda held the hand of her lover. She leaned over, kissed his parched lips, and softly and lovingly said: “I will be OK. Go home to Jesus He’s waiting for you.”

In a final act of love, and with his remaining strength, Chuck mouthed, “I love you.” Without breaking his gaze, he drew his last breath, and then he died.

Linda loves Chuck! She never gave up. No matter how many wise friends advised her to quit and put herself first. She stood by her man. She loved him, all the way into heaven.

Thank you, Mom, for teaching me this lesson by living it and loving my dad unconditionally. I know you will be together again in heaven because you never gave up.

MOULTON, Ala. (BNc) – Well-known and much loved Gospel minister Hoyt Nelson of Moulton, Ala., died Sept. 25th. He was 81. His wife Gueldine preceded him in death several years earlier. Funeral services were held Sept. 28th in the Hartselle (Ala.) Church of Christ auditorium.

While serving the College Avenue congregation in Enterprise, Ala., in the 1960s and 70s, Hoyt was a driving force in the beginning of Wiregrass Christian Youth Camp at Chancellor, Ala. He remained active in that work the rest of his life. Memorials may be made to this work and sent to Camp Wiregrass, P. O. Box 311072, Enterprise, AL 36331. He also did missionary work throughout the Ukraine, Romania, and the Caribbean.

A graduate of Auburn University, brother Nelson served as editor of a newspaper in Alexander City, Ala., prior to becoming a preacher.

Hoyt’s outgoing personality and big smile endeared him to brethren and townspeople alike everywhere they lived during a 55-year-ministry. He was highly respected for being both sound in doctrine and active in good works.

He is survived by a son, Ken Nelson and wife Bertha of Moulton; a daughter, Monya Deen Claborn and husband Mitch of Athens; four grandchildren, Heath Claborn and wife Mary, Heather Claborn, Ross Nelson and wife Ashley and Rachel Nelson; and three great-grandchildren, McKinley Stack, Mary Catherine Stack and Cade Glasgow.

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (BNc) –

Rogers, who taught middle school for two years, transferred to Waterville Community Elementary, where she has been for five years. When she arrived in Waterville, she heard parents complain about the lack of adaptive playground equipment for the handicapped.

“I had no idea what I was getting myself into at the time, but I started planning and raising money for the playground,” said Rogers.

Rogers started a fund-raising campaign by sending out letters to local businesses and community groups, organizing fundraisers and applying for grants. With the help of several large donations, she was able to raise the necessary funds for the playground equipment.

“Part of my job is being an advocate for those without a voice. I feel like that was what this playground endeavor was all about. Seeing my students’ smiles and hearing their laughter while they are playing on the playground is reward enough for me,” said Rogers.

Rogers is a member of the East Side church in Cleveland. She is the mother of two boys. Her husband Michael is also a school teacher. Michelle teachs Bible classes, and Michael is the VBS director and newly-appointed deacon in their congregation.

GULFPORT, Miss. (BNc) —

The murder suspect, Paul Ellis Buckman, was later found dead in his apartment by police, according to a report by the area newspaper, SunHerald.

The AP reported that a neighbor saw the alleged murderer in the Ferguson home after the family’s 5-year-old son ran to her house, crying and screaming that “the bad man who hurt my brother” was now hurting his mother.

Buckman was out of jail on bond, after an arrest in July for sexual battery involving the Ferguson family.

The husband and father of the deceased, Les Ferguson Jr., preaches with the Orange Grove congregation in Gulfport, said Ted Knight, who also provided the photo. “This brother and his remaining children surely do need our prayers.”

The AP report mentioned that Trevor was confined to a wheelchair.

Members of the congregation comforted the other family members, report the SunHerald. An elder of the congregation said Buckman had attended their meetings before his July arrest.

Karen was the daughter of Bob and Joan Brown, he a retired professor at Freed-Hardeman University.

In a recent blog post on the book of James, Les wrote, “God is not just the best answer, ultimately, He is the only real and lasting answer! When ;life throws you a curveball, seek God. Better yet, long before the pitcher gets wound up to throw your the unexpected, seek God!”