Elsie "Els" Turner Myers

Elsie “Els” Turner Myers, a native of Davenport, New York, passed away on October 30, 2026, at the New York State Veterans Home at Oxford. She was 94 years old.

Born on Turner Hill in Davenport on February 16, 1932, she was a graduate of Charlotte Valley Central School and Harpur College (now SUNY Binghamton.) Els was the first in her family to attend college. She raised her family in Liverpool, NY, later returning to Turner Hill Road to build a retirement home on family land. Els was an insurance agent with Otsego County Patrons Co-op Fire Relief Association for many years.

Her surviving family includes daughter Linda L. Miles (Richard Vaughn), son David D. Boyce (Kathleen); sister Ellie Niebell, brothers Neil B. Turner and Lynn G. Turner (Beth); grandchildren Jonathan Miles (Mariam Rauf), Jeremy Miles (Amie), Jadrian Sardiñas (Maria), Devin Miles (Matt Ostruszka), Benjamin Whitfield (Erinn Pemberton), Brandon Boyce (Lauren), and Alexander Whitfield; great grandchildren Luke Miles, Audry Miles, Christian Miles, Lucas Miles, Jay Miles, Ava Miles, Joshua Ostruszka, and Arkiris Sardiñas; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Els was predeceased by her husband Jere C. Myers, parents Neil and Laura Turner, brothers Earl and Harold Turner, and sisters Edna Turner and Doris Schlee.

She loved her family, traveling to be with them for as many events as her schedule allowed. Els particularly enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She hosted huge Thanksgiving gatherings at her home where the heavily laden table welcomed all.

Els was known for her love of people, nature, hiking, and being outdoors. She was an ADK 46er, having climbed all 46 peaks in the Adirondacks above 4,000 feet. Her hummingbird feeders were always busy – even with a bear a few times. She and Jere loved traveling in their various campers. Els was strong, determined and hard-working. She grew up on the family dairy farm, assisting with chores and helping her parents with her four younger siblings.

She had many cherished memories of the various students whose lives she touched as a reading assistant in the elementary classrooms of Charlotte Valley schools. It brought her great joy to see the students flocking to her with their books when she came into their rooms. Els volunteered in the school for many years, reading with two generations of students.

Els was a woman of faith having a strong relationship with God and her church. She was a dedicated member of the Charlotte Valley Presbyterian Church. She was active in church committees, took communion to shut-ins, and baked bread for communion and pies for bake sales and meals.

For the past year and a half, Els was a resident of the New York State Veterans Home at Oxford where her husband Jere also spent the last years of his life. She enjoyed the Home’s caring and friendly staff, along with the many enriching activities available.

A celebration of Els’s long, love-filled life will be held at the church in the future.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Charlotte Valley Presbyterian Church, PO Box 184, Davenport, NY 13750.

Please visit www.macarthurfh.com to share condolences with her family.