Matthew Turnbull, 70
Matthew (Matt) Ajax Turnbull, age 70, passed away Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Sandpoint, Idaho.
A celebration of Matt’s life will be held Saturday, April 29, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Sagle Senior Center, 650 Monarch Road in Sagle, Idaho.
Matthew was born March 29, 1952, to James (Jim) and Dolores Turnbull of Sagle. He attended Sagle Elementary School and graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1970. Matthew worked at the cedar shake mill in Colburn, Idaho, until he was diagnosed with diabetes in 1978. He then studied at North Idaho College, becoming a seismic surveyor and permitter. That work took him away from Sagle for a few years. Matthew quit traveling for work, returned home and went to work for the city of Sandpoint Parks and Recreation department until his diabetes worsened, forcing his early retirement in 1999.
Matthew married Gaye Winter in May 1974. That marriage blessed him with two sons, Chad in 1975 and Jeremy in 1980. Matthew and Gaye divorced in November 1980.
Matthew married Ellen Howell in May 1982. They were blessed with a daughter, Heather, in 1983 and a son, Craig, in 1986. Matthew and Ellen divorced in September 1994.
Matthew enjoyed playing baseball throughout his life, including his time on the Sagle Yankees, the men’s hardball team. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing. Matt, dad Jim and brother Jed spent lots of time hunting in the forests of North Idaho, they often spoke of many adventures and fond memories. The three of them traveled to Alaska hunting in 1978, when Matthew bagged his Dall Sheep.
The hunting adventures changed to black powder hunting in the Clearwater. Matthew, family and friends spent many annual trips having a wonderful time tromping through the snow after elk. He enjoyed spending time fishing the creeks, rivers and lakes of Idaho. Some summers, he joined his dad and sister fishing creeks and mountain lakes. Matthew and brother Jed traveled back to Alaska with family and friends later in life to enjoy time fishing. He also enjoyed family and friend trips to the Washington coast clam digging.
Matt is survived by his mother, Dolores Turnbull of Sagle; one daughter, Heather Dinkins of Sagle; three sons, Chad (Petra) Turnbull of Germany, Jeremy (Kindra) Turnbull of Great Falls, Mont., and Craig (Umma) Turnbull of Coeur d’Alene; 13 grandchildren; one sister, Crystal (Bill) Gordon of Sagle; three nieces and nephews; and five great-nieces and great-nephews.
Matthew was preceded in death by his father, Jim Turnbull; and his brother, Jed Turnbull.
Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Matt’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.