Allen L. Winters

Allen L. Winters, 86, died Feb. 9, 2016 in his home in Lynchburg, Virginia, following a brief illness. He was born March 7, 1929, near Bass Lake, Indiana, to Carl L. and Edna M. (Bailey) Winters. He lived in Muncie, Indiana, from 1957-1993. He was a graduate of the Monterey High School class of 1947. His late wife, Rita J. (Affert) Winters preceded him in death in 1991. They were married in New Burlington, Indiana, Nov. 24, 1957. In his early life, he was active with the Indiana chapter of Rural Youth as well as the Indiana Farm Bureau. He attended the Monterey, Indiana, Methodist Church.  He was a current and long-term member of the Masonic Lodge, actively serving in Parker, Indiana, lodge #630 A.F. & A.M. where he was a Master. He also participated in the Indianapolis Shrine and Indiana York Rite. He retired in 1993 as Manager of the Outdoor Biological Field Areas for Ball State University, where he worked for 35 years as a horticulturist. He was also known by many in the area as a doorman at Emens Auditorium serving from when it opened in 1964 until his retirement in 1993. While at Ball State University he volunteered with the Employee Activities Committee and Staff Council. In 1987 he was awarded the A. Jane Morton award for his service to the university. He taught Master Gardener classes in the Muncie area.  After retirement from BSU he lived near Beech Grove, Tennessee before moving to Salisbury, North Carolina, in 1995. In Salisbury he was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church. He served on the board of Meals on Wheels of Rowan County and delivered meals from 1997 to 2012. He served on the Salisbury Appearance Commission and was an usher at Piedmont Players Theater. He was also involved with the Andrew Jackson Lodge #576 A.F. & A.M.  In 2012, he moved to Lynchburg, Virginia, to be near family. He was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and volunteered at the Old City Cemetery which contains gardens and rare plants dating to the Civil War. There will be a memorial service at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, 2016 in the chapel at the Elm Ridge Mausoleum, 4600 West Kilgore Avenue, Muncie. Visitation begins one hour prior. Friends and acquaintances are welcome, but in lieu of black wear bright colors. Survivors include his brother Ralph (Barbara) Winters, Culver, Indiana; daughter Kim (Mike Meier) Hiatt, Roanoke, Indiana; and son Jon (Esther) Winters, Lynchburg, Virginia; three granddaughters, Lisa Jones, Muncie, Indiana, Jessica Winters, Louisville, Kentucky, and Zoë Winters, Lynchburg, Virginia; and two grandsons, Samuel Winters, Indianapolis, Indiana, and Jacob Winters, Lynchburg, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his parents, as well as his twin Alvin Carl Winters. Memorials may be given to the Christy Woods Outdoor Area, BSU Foundation #909, Ball State University, 2000 University Avenue, Muncie, IN 47306, or to the historic Old City Cemetery, Attn: Southern Memorial Association, 401 Taylor Street, Lynchburg, VA 24502. Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family. To send condolences please visit tharpfuneralhome.com.