Valentino "Shorty" Turchi

Valentino "Shorty" Turchi, 93, of Pine Bluff, died Friday, Sept. 18, 2015, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Mr. Turchi was born June 14, 1922, in Pine Bluff, son of the late Warren and Teresa Massanelli Turchi. He was a lifetime resident of Pine Bluff, where he attended school at Linwood, the Annunciation Academy, and graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1945. He was a self-employed farmer from which he retired in 1993. Mr. Turchi was a lifetime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He was also a member of the 3rd and 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, the Altar Society and a former board member of Farm Bureau. Mr. Turchi was preceded in death by his brothers, Aldo (Cecilia) Turchi, Nello (Frances) Turchi, and sisters, Zada (Leo) Rinchuso, and Valana (Joe) Rinchuso, and a nephew, Tommy Turchi. Survivors include his wife, Hazel Menotti Turchi, whom he married Feb. 22, 1949; two sons, Michael (Vickie) Turchi of Pine Bluff and Chuck (Camille) Turchi of Conway; sister, Mary Brock of Hot Springs; four grandchildren, LeAnn (Neil) Saffold, Michael (Megan) Turchi, Trent Turchi, and Alex Turchi; two great-granchildren, Tristen and Conner Saffold and Baby Girl Piper Turchi who is due to be born in November; many nieces and nephews; and a caregiver, Gennetta Thorns. A vigil will be 6 p.m., Monday, Sept. 21, 2015, in the Chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son with Deacon Noel F. "Bud" Bryant officiating. A visitation will follow the vigil service. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015, 10 a.m., at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Frank DuPreez officiating. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery. Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.