J. Ellis Turner Jr., 85, family physician

J. Ellis Turner Jr., 85, of Media, a family physician, died of pneumonia Friday at Fair Acres Geriatric Center in Lima, where he had cared for patients for 20 years.

Dr. Turner grew up in Ridley Park and graduated from St. Joseph's Preparatory School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Villanova University and a medical degree from Hahnemann University, where he met his future wife, Nancy McKenna, a nurse at Hahnemann's hospital.

During World War II he served in the Navy, testing service personnel for tuberculosis.

After his discharge, he completed a residency in general medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. In 1949 he established a practice in Chester. He moved to Aston in the 1960s. While maintaining his practice, he was a physician for several industries and institutions. In 1978 he began caring for residents at Fair Acres, and continued on the staff there after closing his office in 1985. He retired in 1998.

Dr. Turner and his wife lived in Wallingford for 50 years. After she died in 1999, he moved to the home of his son John in Media. He was a gourmet cook, his son said. He loved hosting dinner parties and prepared recipes by famous chefs - always adding his own touches, his son said.

He also enjoyed cards, fishing and golf, music and dancing. At his Fair Acres retirement party he danced with every woman in the room, his son said.

Dr. Turner was a member of the Springhaven Country Club.

In addition to his son, he is survived by sons J. Ellis III and David; daughters Beth Wagner, Emily Bush, Meg Gross and Trish; and six grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. tomorrow at St. John Chrysostom Church, 615 S. Providence Rd., Wallingford. Friends may call at 9 a.m. Burial will be in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Marple Township.

Memorial donations may be made to Friends of Fair Acres, 340 N. Middletown Rd., Lima, Pa. 19037.