Thelma "Turk" L. Carns, 87, beloved leader at Camp Allegheny for many years who literally touched thousands of kids with her kindness, grace and good humor, died Monday, January 7, 2013 after a brief illness in Florida.
Mrs. Carns, of Smithton, was born September 1, 1925 in Nineveh, PA, a daughter of the late Robert and Mary (Rauton) Clutter. Prior to retirement, Turk was employed as a school bus driver by the Yough School District.
She was a member of the Barren Run United Methodist Church and was a tireless worker at Camp Allegheny as a counselor, mentor, and teacher of outdoor skills. Working with the youth was her passion.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her two brothers, Jack Holding and Ray Lee Clutter and her beloved husband, Kenneth Carns. She is survived by two nieces, Patricia Clutter and Lynn Marshall and husband, Bill; two nephews, Lee Clutter and Jack Clutter and wife, Debbie; seven grandnieces and nephews and four great grandnieces and nephews and many friends.
Friends were to be received 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11 at the J. William McCauley, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. 901 Vine St. West Newton, with addition visitation from 10 – 11 a.m. at the Barren Run Church. Funeral services were scheduled at the church at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Sue R. Hutchins and the Rev. Eric Raygor co-officiating. Interment was to follow in West Newton Cemetery.
Turk was not fond of flowers, memorial gifts may be made Camp Allegheny-Campership Fund, 100 Camp Allegheny Dr., Stoystown, PA 15563 http://www.mccauleyfuneralhome.com