Cecil Howard Winters, 86, of Springfield, died on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, at 9 p.m. at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, Jan. 25, from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Chatham, 1225 N. Main St. A memorial ceremony will follow, beginning at 11 a.m. at the church with the Rev. Kevin Wendorf officiating. Butler Funeral Home in Chatham is assisting the family.
Mr. Winters was born Feb. 2, 1935, in Hillsboro, to William Henry and Beulah Grenich Winters. He married his grade school sweetheart, Ruth “Nadine” Lloyd on July 29, 1955, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro, and she survives.
He was raised in Hillsboro, attending grade school and graduating from Hillsboro High School in 1953.
During his career, Mr. Winters was employed at the Sunoco Service Station in Litchfield for 22 years, eventually becoming the owner the last ten years there.
He and his family then moved to Henderson, TX, where he was employed by Texas Utilities Mining Company as a journeyman diesel mechanic for 17 years until his retirement in February 1997. The family then moved to Venice, FL, for five years before eventually residing in Springfield.
Mr. Winters was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Chatham where he served as a trustee and usher. He also served as a volunteer fireman for Litchfield Fire Department and the Henderson, TX fire department.
He was also a faithful blood donor for many years. He enjoyed carpentry, doing household and small engine repairs, yard work and traveling abroad and in the U.S.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Winters is survived by his children, Jon Kevin Winters of Auburn, Janelle Karen (Rex) Owens, Joel Kent (Ruth) Winters, both of Jefferson City, MO, Joni Kaye (Jerry) Jones of Divernon and Jeanine Kelli (J.R.) Crocker of Bowling Green, KY; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Shirley Burrows of Piedmont, MO.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Regina Lockenour; brother, Donald Winters; and granddaughter, Elaine Owens.
Memorials may be directed to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1225 N. Main St., Chatham, IL.
Online condolences to the family may be left at www.butlerfuneralhomes.com.
