Winston Marshall Fullerton

Winston Marshall Fullerton, 84, of Mt. Vernon, passed away peacefully Sunday, October 5. The greatest joys of his life - his daughters - were holding his hands as he departed this earth to join our God in heaven.
Winston was born January 29, 1941, in Chicago, the son of John R. and Helen Fullerton. He married the former Barbara Wilson on June 8, 1963. Together they celebrated nearly 52 years of marriage before she preceded him in death on June 5, 2015. Several years later, he reconnected with a former classmate, Sharon Williams. They married, and she preceded him in death on April 16, 2025.
Survivors include two daughters, Melanie Andrews and husband Ryan of Mt. Vernon and Robyn Kisrow and husband Kell of Mansfield, Texas. He is also survived by his granddaughter, Ryleigh JoAnn of Mansfield, Texas. His daughters and granddaughter were his greatest joys, and he loved to tell people how proud he was of them over the years. Other survivors include sisters-in-law Verla Johnson and husband Jack of Ina, Janice Laur and husband David of Waltonville, Judy Williams and husband Darrell of Washington, Dorothy Wilson of Bonnie, Linda Wilson of Mt. Vernon and Connie Grimes of Ina; brother-in-law Clyde Wilson and wife Margie of Ponchatoula, La; many dear nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; and finally his beloved cat who was by his side for ten years, Mr. Big. Mr. Big took care of Winston, and he took care of his buddy Big.
In addition to Barbara and Sharon, Winston was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws Herman and Velma Wilson, his brother Douglas Fullerton, sisters-in-law Judy Conner, Barbara Wilson, Glenda Wilson, Wanda Smith, Mildred Russell, Imogene Pilson and Juanita Wilson, brothers-in-law Charles Russell, Raymond Pilson, John Smith, David Wilson, Everett Wilson, Kenneth Wilson, and Herman Wilson.
After moving from Chicago as a young boy, Winston resided in Ina most of his life. He graduated from Ina Grade School and Mt. Vernon Township High School. He attended Rend Lake College. Winston first worked as a butcher before joining the Ina State Bank as its Executive Vice President and CEO. He then ventured into the world of entrepreneurship and started his own oil company called Mid-Central Production Corporation. For the rest of his working years, Winston drilled oil wells in several states including Indiana and Illinois. Winston served the community as a member of the Ina School Board, Ina Village Board, Rend Lake Conservancy District Board, and as a Shriner. Winston had a unique sense of humor, and everyone who met him enjoyed spending time with him. He was a lifelong Mt. Vernon Ram fan and especially loved watching the boys basketball teams over the years both on the road and in Changnon Gymnasium. He enjoyed playing golf, bowling, and card and board games. Winston was a member of the Ina Missionary Baptist Church. He loved life and lived it to the fullest with his friends and those he loved.
A visitation will be held Friday, October 10 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Johnston Funeral Home in Ina. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 11 at 11:00 am at Johnston Funeral Home in Ina with Pastor Brad Ryan officiating. Burial will follow at South Hickory Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial donations to the Jefferson County Animal Shelter or the Mt. Vernon Rams basketball program. These two organizations were close to Winston's heart.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.johnstonfuneralhome.com