Donald Carl Winch

Rev. Donald Carl Winch, 81, of Arcola, IL, passed away at 10:30 AM on Sunday, December 14, 2025 at his residence.
Don led a varied life which spoke to his faith in God and how God would always provide. Born on April 19, 1944 in Elmira, New York, he was the son of Carl Dallas and Bertha Marie (Sheppard) Winch.
Having originally met his now wife Florence Patricia Potter in the seventh grade while attending Horseheads High School, this was not the time God had planned for them to spend their life together. Donald graduated high school in 1962 as a member of the National Honor Society and went on to earn his Bachelor of Science and Music Education from Ithaca College in 1966 as a member of Kappa Gamma Psi. He went on to complete his Masters of Music and Applied Woodwinds the following year. It was in his time at Ithaca College, that Don and Flo were brought back together and married on August 20, 1966 at the Methodist Church in Big Flats, NY.
Following his passion for music, Don served as music teacher and band director at West Genesee Schools in Camillus, NY from 1967-1977. Teaching woodwinds, he shared his inspiration with countless students and showcased his talents as a bassoonist with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra. During this time, Don and Flo had their first daughter, Katrina M. Smith.
In 1977, Don entered what he refers to as his “wander in the wilderness.” He joined his father to sell real estate in Montgomery, PA until 1983 with United Farm Agency. This time taught him about humility and trusting that God has you in his hands and will not give you more than you can manage. It was during this time, that Don and Flo grew their family with the birth of son, Carl F. Winch and youngest daughter, Amy J. Bumgarner.
Following his time in the “wilderness,” Don heard a voice, calling him to a new profession. Always being a very caring man, he felt the call in 1983 to Princeton Theological Seminary, in Princeton, NJ, where he earned a Masters of Divinity in 1986. Not knowing where God would lead him, his call brought him to Arcola, IL where he was ordained as Minister of the Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and served as pastor of the Arcola Presbyterian Church for 28 years until his honorable retirement on August 31, 2014. Don was always an active part of the community. He served the Presbytery of Southeastern IL throughout his 28 years, serving on boards and assisting other churches. He was a member of Lions Club, both in Pennsylvania and in Arcola. He humbly served as President of Arcola Telecare from 1988-2016 and was a member of the Cumberland County Health Board of Directors from 2010 to 2013. His commitment to helping others was evident through his volunteer work at the Arcola Food Pantry.
Don is survived by his wife, Flo Winch of Arcola, IL, three children: Katrina M. Smith and her husband, Andy of Mattoon, IL; Carl F. Winch and his husband, Nigel Maltby of Beaverton, OR and Amy J. Bumgarner and her husband, Nick of Arcola, IL, four grandchildren: Ryker Smith, Keely Smith, Amelia Bumgarner and Henry Bumgarner, and one sister, Joy M. Fellows of Endwell, NY.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one grandchild, Kalel B. Smith.
A visitation will be held from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at the Edwards Funeral Home, 221 E. Main St, Arcola, IL. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, December 21, 2025 at the funeral home. Rev. Matthew Froeschle of Mattoon First Presbyterian Church will officiate. Burial will be held at a later date in the Arcola Cemetery. Even in death, Don continues his servitude. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kemmerer Village in Assumption, IL, an organization that provides specialized community services for children and families across the state. www.kemmerervillage.org