Edith E. Winter, 89, of Wataga, Illinois, died on January 10, 2025, at Knox County Nursing Home.
Edith was born on March 2, 1935, in Hickson, Ontario, Canada, the daughter of Alfred L. and M. Lillian (Welch) King. Edith married Paul D. Winter on February 15, 1958, in Nanuet, New York.
Survivors include her husband of 66 years, Paul of Wataga; two daughters, Susan (Ronald) Beebe of Dahinda, Illinois and Ruth Ann (Bud) Barrett of New York; and grandsons Benjamin Beebe and Nathaniel Beebe. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Gerald King.
In her younger years, Edith worked as a switchboard operator. Edith stayed home to raise their daughters and, after becoming a naturalized citizen in 1974, returned to work as a secretary and proofreader. In early retirement, she and Paul traveled the country in their fifth wheel while volunteering with RVICS to complete mission projects at Christian camps, conference centers, churches, and schools. They later lived in McNeal, Arizona, donating their time and talents to New Tribes Mission Aviation (now Ethnos360 Aviation) before moving to Wataga.
Edith had a quick wit and was always up for fun. She liked to keep her mind active by completing word searches and crocheting. She created many beautiful afghans for family, friends, and nursing home residents. Edith loved anything to do with hummingbirds and enjoyed the sight of them buzzing around her home. She loved visits with her neighbors and always bragged about how blessed she was to have them.
Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, January 18, 2025, at The Oaks Community Church, 1868 Congregation Road, Dahinda, Illinois, with funeral services following at 11 a.m. Pastors Marty Briney and Dean Lane will officiate. Burial will follow at Sparta Township Cemetery, Wataga, Illinois. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg, Illinois. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Friends of Knox County Nursing Home. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
