Obituary of John Winters

John D. Winters Age 81, of Morris, IL, died Monday, November 23, 2009 at Morris Hospital. He was born July 21, 1928 in Evansville, IN to Frank and Clara Flentke Winters, who both preceded him in death. He married Marjorie Schlamp of Evansville on June 6, 1954. She preceded him in death on May 20, 1991. He married Marilyn Carlson of Morris, IL on August 2, 1992 and she survives him. Also surviving are his daughter, Mrs. Thomas (Susanna) Davis of Channahon, IL; his son, David M. (Marilyn) Winters of Bartlett, IL; one brother, Dr. Robert W. Winters of Elsinore, Denmark; eight grandchildren; two stepsons, Ken (Linda) Carlson of Salem, IN and Paul (Janet) Carlson of Springfield, IL; five step-grandchildren; five step great-grandchildren. An older brother, Frank H. Winters of Longboat Key, FL, preceded him in death in 2003. He graduated from Bosse High School of Evansville in 1946 and from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in 1949 with a B.S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He joined Caterpillar, Inc. in Peoria, IL after graduation and was employed there until September 1950 when he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He completed pilot training in 1952 and was commissioned as an officer. He served as a jet fight pilot in the Korean conflict and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal in combat action there. He later served as an instructor pilot in the USAF All-Weather Interceptor School before being discharged in 1955. He returned to Caterpillar, Inc. in Peoria and served in a variety of marketing management positions until 1975 when he became President of Caterpillar Brasil S.A. relocating to Sao Paulo, Brazil. In 1979 he returned to the U.S. and became Manager of the Caterpillar Aurora Plant in Aurora, IL. In 1983, he returned to Peoria as Vice President with administrative responsibility for the Caterpillar Engine Division. He retired from the company in 1990. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity and Tau Beta Pi Honorary Engineering Fraternity. He was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church of Peoria retaining his membership while living in many other communities. He was active in alumni affairs at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Engineering degree in 1987 as a distinguished alumnus. Visitation for John Winters will be held Wednesday, November 25, 2009 from 9-11 a.m., with services to follow at 11:00 a.m at Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, Morris Chapel. Further visitation will be held Friday, from 4-8 p.m. at Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home, Peoria, IL. Funeral services will be held Saturday, at 10:00 a.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Peoria, IL, with visitation one hour prior to services at church. Interment will be in Swan Lake Memory Gardens, Peoria, IL. Memorials to the Morris Hospital Foundation or Redeemer Lutheran Church would be appreciated. Arrangements by: FRED C. DAMES FUNERAL HOME 1201 West Route 6 at Deerpath Dr., Morris For information: (815) 942-5040