Funeral Service for Charles Turley, Jr.

There is nothing worse than a phone call in the middle of the night.

Last night, a tearful friend was barely able to speak when I answered her midnight phone call. She simply said, "Charlie is gone."

15 year-old Charlie Turley was a vivacious young man with enough smiles and laughter to fill a room. His love of adventure and zeal of life was contagious and he brought joy to all who knew him. In spite of mental illness, his character and outrageous hilarity, and the joy those brought, are the memories those of us left behind will cling to.

He will be sorely missed.

Chuck and Jackie, Charlie's parents are the hardest-working people I've ever met and the last few months has taken a toll on them, financially. Jackie, a US Army veteran, runs her own business and Chuck, also a US Army disabled veteran (of Operation Enduring Freedom), is in truck driving school to better equip himself to help his family. He is a certified mechanic, but the VA won't let him work as such and maintain his disability status.

I'm asking that friends and loved ones help them by donating for Charlie's end-of-life expenses. Obviously, this is unexpected and times are tough and they could really use some support.