Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Donald Winzer Obituary
Donald P. Winzer, 67, of Macungie, died March 30, 2006. He was the widower of Judith A. (Rau) Winzer. For more than 30 years, Donald served as the director of music for Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown. Most recently, he was the organist and choir director for St. Peters Lutheran Church, Allentown. In his long career as a musician, he was the director of church choirs and many area and regional German choruses including the Lehigh Saengerbund and Mack Truck choruses. His passion for music was also coupled with a passion for cars. He was a long time member of the Franklin Club and other area car clubs. He was also a member of Upper Milford Fire Company. Survivors: Son, Donald P. Winzer Jr. and his wife, Lani; daughters, the Rev. Donna, wife of the Rev. Brad Brown, Dr. Jane Winzer and Suzanne Kompass; grandchildren, Don, Luke, Justin and Nathan; sister, Ethel Devarics; brothers, George and his wife, Jane Winzer and Elmer Winzer. Services: 1 p.m. Thursday, April 6, 2006 in Grace Lutheran Church, 28 W. Main Street, Macungie. Former choral members are welcomed to join in song during the services. Viewing from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the church. Interment in Emmaus Moravian Cemetery. Contributions: May be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 28 W. Main Street, Macungie, PA 18062.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Donald Winzer
George & Jane Winzer
April 20, 2006
Dear Brother:
We'll miss you and hope you are at peace.
Kim Rau
April 10, 2006
Dear Don, Donna, Jane,
We are sorry for your loss, We were out of town and were not aware of your Dad's death until now. Our thoughts will be with you in the coming months
Rick & Kim Rau
Judy & Jerry Dreisbach
April 7, 2006
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Sally Cherrington Beggs
April 5, 2006
My condolences to the Winzer family. I was the organist with Don for a while at the Cathedral and accompanied the choir. I had a great deal of respect for his choral expertise - and a lot of fun working with him. Since I live in South Carolina now I will be unable to express my sympathy in person.
George Spieker
April 5, 2006
Donald Winzer's family,
Please add our sincere condolences on Donald's death. We knew him in his early years at St. John's Lutheran Church, Emmaus, where he grew up in that family of faith. We will always be grateful that he recorded our wedding 50 years ago this August. May resurrection hope comfort and strengthen all in the Winzer family.
George and Becky Spieker
Karen Schmehl
April 4, 2006
I had been friends with Don and Judy for many years. I learned so much about music from singing with Donald in different choirs. I still can't sing eighth notes with hearing him lecture us about "do-be-do-be-do-be". I know how much he missed Judy. They were a pair like no other - perfectly suited for each other. Your whole family is in my prayers.
Mary Paine
April 4, 2006
On behalf of the Pioneer Band of Allentown I would like to send the whole Winzer family our condolences.
Ruth Baker
April 4, 2006
Having sung under Donald Winzer in both German and American choruses, I felt a great sense of loss for the regional musical community upon learning of his passing. While his directing style, like that of old-style German chorusmasters, could be blunt and intimidating to some, I overlooked these intermittent qualities to enjoy Mr. Winzer's rare and wonderful conducting style. Under his direction, you would have to be totally inattentive to not understand what he wanted out of you as a singer. He could take an oft-sung song and bring out new beauty and intricacy in it, just by emphasizing the relative balance of one part over another at different spots in the piece. Members of the massed chorus at our Pa. Saengerfest (many of whom had never been directed by him)remarked how neat the experience was. He had so much music in his head that he often didn't even have to consult the score. When a piece didn't have quite the right effect as written, he would edit the score a tad here or there or add some harmony to improve its sound. Even after his beloved wife's death, and despite his health problems, he undertook new musical endeavors in Allentown and New Jersey. Mr. Winzer set a fine musical and energy standard for others to measure up to, and I will cherish my memories of him for the rest of my life. How much I will miss his talent and being able to sing under him!
Tom Sedor
April 4, 2006
Sorry to hear about your father . Being your mothers cousin I knew him for many years. I never heard an organ played like your father could. They lived life to their fullest but he missed his Judy.
Anne & Dan Russell
April 3, 2006
My family and I are so sad to hear of the passing of your Father. We will always remember him playing and singing at the Franklin Trek.What a wonderful man. We were Blessed to have known him,
The Russells and The Kemps
GEORGE BOYER
April 3, 2006
It was always a joy to experience the pure ecclaistical choral art under the baton of this great Maestro. So many singers had their lives enriched by his work, and so many listeners had their spirits lifted, and were given a glimpse of the divine. "Well done, thou good and faithful servant!". Don's age in light of his accomplishements is a true testimony to the saying, "it's not the years of your life, it's the life in your years!"
Steve Ziminsky
April 3, 2006
I was saddened to read of your father's death in Sunday's paper. You will remember I participated in the tour of Germany/Austria with St. Catherine's and had a very memorable time performing and touring. He was well-known and always treated me with kindness and respect. I was happy to have known him and his wife too.
Helena and John Yurconic
April 2, 2006
Dear Don, Donna and Jane, So sorry to hear of your fathers death. We are in Naples Flr and will be unable to attend the services. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you, and your father, along with his wonderful music, will be deeply missed. Respectfully, The Yurconics
Skip Rumpf
April 2, 2006
Donald, Donna and Jane,
How sorry I am to know that your dear dad has died. We worked together for many years and we fought together and laughed together.
His magnificent gift of music was one he shared with all of us. He taught us to sing correctly and he acheived a sound using us as his instrument. His aim was always perfection and we know we can't be perfect, but there were those great times when we came sooooooooo close.
Bravo, maestro.
I'm sorry I can't be with you on Thursday. I have had a recent surgery and am homebound for a while.
Please know that my thoughts are with you at this sad time.
Most sincerely,
Skip
Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results
Make a Donation
in Donald Winzer's name
Memorial Events
for Donald Winzer
How to support Donald's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Donald Winzer's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
