David R. Winnett

Photo

DAVID R. WINNETT

JERSEYVILLE — David R. Winnett, beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather and great-grandfather has passed away in Jerseyville, Ill., at the age of 88.

David R. Winnett was born on Feb. 2, 1927, in a farmhouse two miles north of Greenup, Cumberland County, Illinois.

He was the last surviving son of Benjamin Lee Winnett and Isa (Spesard) Winnett. He had two brothers. William L. Winnett, now deceased, and his wife Lucille, now deceased, of San Francisco, Calif., and Robert Steven Winnett, now deceased, and his wife Carolyn of East Alton, Ill. The brothers and their wives were very close. They traveled together frequently to Africa, Europe and many points between.

David R. grew up in the area of Greenup, Ill., until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was then stationed in Pleasanton, Calif. He was training to be a medic to the troops that would land on mainland Japan. When the war ended without having to invade Japan, David R. was honorably discharged and moved back to Illinois.

He graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a B. A. in social sciences. While attending college he played varsity football and this is where he fell madly in in love with Jacqueline Louise Adams of Sullivan, Ill., located in Moultrie County, a small county in east-central Illinois.

David R. and Jacqueline were married for 63 years when his wife Jacqueline died four years ago while they were living in retirement in Flagler Beach, Fla.

David R. Winnett is survived by three adult children: David Adams Winnett and his wife Sharon Lee Dycus-Winnett of Trinidad, Calif., Richard Dan Winnett and his wife Monica Moffet-Winnett of Alton, Ill., and Douglas Gahle Winnett and his wife Catherine Gogarty-Winnett of Millbrae, Calif. David R. Winnett (Grandpa Dave) is also survived by six grandchildren: David Lee Winnett, a practicing attorney, and his wife Laura of Novato, Calif., Erin Winnett- Agius, a graduate of the University of Illinois, and her husband Nick of Santa Rosa Calif., Jennifer Winnett in college at the University of California Berkeley, Patrick Winnett in college at the University of California Berkeley, Michael Winnett in high school in Burlingame, Calif., and Cyrus Winnett, a legislative analyst in Springfield, Ill. He is also survived by five great-grandchildren: Megan, Chloe and Gabrielle Winnett of Novato, Calif., and Grace and Sam Winnett-Agius of Santa Rosa, Calif.

After several successful businesses, including his own Allis Chalmers dealership in Jerseyville, David R. began a State Farm Insurance Agency in Wood River, in 1958, and retired to Florida after 37 successful years. He also was a member of the Mason's Lodge, Kiwanis Club and Toastmasters International. David R. loved his dogs: Black Rose, Telle Rose and Rambler. They were his best dogs from the Giant Schnauzer's breed he and Jackie raised, showed and loved. They spent many happy days traveling around the country attending dog shows.

David R. Winnett's final resting place will be in the Peach Tree Hill cemetery next to Harmony Church in Greenup, Ill., right next to his great love and wife of 63 years, Jacqueline Louise Winnett.

A celebration of his life, the life of his wife Jackie, and their wonderful 63-year marriage will be held in Northern California in June 2015.

David R. Winnett was a good man. He taught by the example of his life how to love without condition his family, his friends and his country. He will be missed and his songs will be sung around the campfires of family and friends till the end of time.

Gent Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements. Online guestbook may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com.