Winifred Afton Bunning

MOWEAQUA - Winifred Afton Bunning, 97, of Front Royal, VA passed away December 16, 2010 at 3:40 AM. She was born April 13, 1913 in Pana, IL to Tom Porter and Alta Jacobs Porter. They divorced and Alta married George Matthews of Moweaqua, Illinois when Winifred was three years old. Winifred graduated from Moweaqua High School and Sparks Business College, Shelbyville, Illinois. She was a member of the Methodist Church of Moweaqua, IL. Winifred was retired from the Illinois Office of Secretary of State. She worked in the Office of Public Aid as a secretary for many years until retirement. Winifred was married to William (Harold) Bunning (deceased). They had three children, Shirley Funk (Sam) of Kokomo, Indiana, Beverly Rarick (Duane) of Moweaqua, IL, and William Harold Bunning, Jr. of Front Royal, VA. They raised their family on a farm near Moweaqua. In her later years, Winifred moved to Front Royal, Virginia to live near her son and has resided there the past 22 years. Winifred is survived by her children plus six grandchildren, Samuel Mark Funk, (Jeanna), Decatur, IL, John David Funk (Maria) Kokomo, Indiana, Sheri Jean Napier (John) and James Alan Rarick (Cathy) of Moweaqua, Illinois, Tamara Bunning and Billy Bunning, Front Royal, Virginia. Also, 13 great grandchildren and eight Great-great grandchildren (Five Generations). Winifred was an accomplished pianist and violinist, and performed in many musicals over the years . She often played "Ragtime" music on the piano at Shoney's in Springfield, IL for years and once in she moved to Front Royal she often played at the Warren County Senior Center and at Bennett's Chapel. She continued playing after she moved into the Royal Haven Nursing home where she spent her remaining years. There wasn't a tune she couldn't play. If you could hum it, she could play it. She was truly blessed with this gift of playing by ear. The family expresses its appreciation for the care their mother received from her physician Dr. Westfall and the staff at Royal Haven Nursing Home where she resided the past 22 years and "Comfort Care" provided by Hospice. A "Celebration" service will be held for family and friends at the Maddox Funeral Home Chapel, Front Royal, VA at 11:00 AM Thursday Dec. 23, 2010 with interment at the Bennett's Chapel Cemetery immediately following. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice or Bennett's Chapel Methodist Church, Rt 619, Front Royal, VA Obituary written by family members. Online guest book at www.legacy.com/herald-review/Obituaries.asp