David Turner (L) was presented with the Bill Reneker Memorial Community Service Award for 2019 by Judy Reneker Burd at Saturday’s Winona Lake Family Festival.

David Turner of Winona Lake was awarded the Bill Reneker Memorial Community Service Award at the Town of Winona Lake’s Family Festival Luau on Saturday, Aug. 3, in the Winona Lake town park.

Hundreds of Winona Lake residents of all ages spent the day in the park enjoying a petting zoo, face painting, bouncy houses, go-karts, cornhole contests, rides on the Grace speedboat, practicing firefighting under the watchful eye of Winona Lake firemen, bingo, door prizes and much more. A free barbecue meal was served at 5:30 p.m. and the day was sponsored by a number of area businesses.

The Family Festival has replaced the Community Appreciation Banquets which were held in the fall for a number of years. This was the twenty-sixth year of the Reneker Award, which was named for the late town council president Bill Reneker and presented to Turner by Reneker’s widow and Winona Lake resident, Judy Reneker Burd.

Turner, who moved to Winona Lake in 1973, has been active in a wide variety of community activities. He currently serves on the comprehensive planning task force, the planning commission, economic development committee, and the board of zoning appeals.

Utilizing his background in chemistry, biology and the aerospace industry, Turner founded his own environmental consulting firm, Turner Tech LLC, in Winona Lake in 1977. The firm specializes in industrial and environmental consulting and the creation of environmental impact studies.

Turner has served Lakeland Christian Academy as a board member and has served as an elder in the First Christian Church. He is a member of the breakfast Optimist’s Club and is a trombonist and singer with several musical organizations, including the Optimist Singers and the Grace College Community Wind Ensemble.

In addition to Turner’s award, the town also recognized former town attorney James Walmer for his 42 years of service as town attorney, which he concluded at the end of 2018. Also recognized was former town council president Bruce Shaffner, who served on the council from 2010-2018 and has been very active in planning and redevelopment activities for the Town of Winona Lake.

Turner and his wife, Claudia, are parents of three grown sons, who were present with their families to celebrate Saturday’s presentation.