Mark Winget

MARK B. WINGET, 84 OREGON - Mark B. Winget, 84, of Oregon, formerly of Rockford, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011, at SwedishAmerican Hospital, after a short illness. Born May 21, 1926, to Albert and Grace (Marker) Winget in Rockford, where he was raised and attended Rockford public schools before joining the Armed Forces. Mark served in the USN Armed Guard during World War II from 1943 to 1946, making four trips across the Atlantic, as well as serving on a destroyer escort from Galveston, Texas, to Japan. He joined the USMC Reserves in 1950 and shipped out to Korea where he was stationed and fought at Chosin Reservoir. Mark was evacuated to a hospital in Yokohama, Japan, for treatment of frostbit hands and feet and shrapnel injuries, and was then evacuated stateside where he mustered out in 1958 with the rank of Staff Sgt., later upgraded to Gunnery Sgt. He was awarded the Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts and two Presidential Unit Citations for Korea, and he mustered out with a total of 12 years of military service. Mark married Nancy Kathleen Pettenger on July 29, 1955, in the Protestant Chapel at Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station in Hawaii. After moving stateside, leaving the service and starting a family, he became a public servant holding various jobs in law enforcement; he was assigned to special security under Jim Truit for Gerald Ford's visit to Rockford. Mark also served as assistant chief deputy coroner for Winnebago County under Dr. John Seward. He was also a volunteer fireman with the North Park Fire department for 4 1/2 years. Member of the American Legion, and the Chosin Few, and was a lifetime member of the Marine Corps League, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the DAV, and held several local and state offices in the MCL, VFW, and the DAV. Survived by his wife of 55 years, Nancy; daughters, Denise Scanlan and Kathleen (Paul) Scordato; beloved grandchildren, Rachel Scanlan, Zachary Scordato and Ali Scordato; and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his loving parents; brother, Albert Winget Jr.; sisters, Lenore Winget Scott, Benita Winget Johnson and Norma Jane Winget Hansing Buscemi; and daughters, Kimberly Ann Winget and Major Sandra Jean Winget Jellison USMC Ret. Service at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 11, in Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services, 7000 W. State St. Rockford. Military burial in Willwood Burial Park. Visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, in the funeral home, and from 10 a.m. Friday to time of service. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer that donations be made to the Rockford Rescue Mission and/or Cornucopia Food Pantry. Tributes to the family at mem.com.