Richard Earl Turner

Richard E. Turner, 76, of Ellicott City formerly of Relay passed away peacefully Monday, August 25, 2025 at the Gilchrist Hospice Center in Columbia. Born Sunday, June 26, 1949 in Baltimore, he was the devoted son of the late Walker Earl and Lois Goodwin Turner, nee Williams. He was the loving husband of Susan Riley Turner, his wife of 27 years. Together, they blended their families. Richard was the cherished dad of Sara da Silva, nee Turner and her husband John, and Lauren Rudnick-Lloyd and her husband David; beloved granddad to Patrick and Sean da Silva, and Lana Lloyd; brother to Carol Stauffer and her husband Larry, Michael Turner, and the late David Turner; and uncle to loving nieces and nephews.

Richard was a 1967 graduate of Lansdowne High School. After graduation he was drafted into the United States Army where he proudly served his country. Upon honorable discharge from military service and return from Vietnam, his mother did not let any grass grow under his feet. She handed him the Baltimore Sun newspaper with an advertisement circled for a job at a local funeral home as an apprentice mortician. This one advertisement would lead Richard down a road of service to others for more than 40 years where he would become well known in the Arbutus and Catonsville communities. He began his career at Hubbard Funeral Home, Inc. under the guidance of Howard Hubbard. Then, in the early 1980s, he brought his caring nature and calm demeanor to the former Leroy M. and Russell C. Witzke Funeral Home, P.A., in Catonsville where he remained a constant and dependable presence. Next, Richard served as Assistant General Manager and Director of Operations at Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home, Inc. and concluded his career with his retirement in late 2016 from Eckhardt Funeral Chapel, P.A. in Owings Mills and Manchester. A true professional, he was a constant source of wisdom, providing his expertise and guidance to his fellow funeral directors. Richard was widely regarded as a great mentor and friend.