Herbert L. Winegarner

Herbert Winegarner of Springfield, Colo., passed away in his home on Thursday, April 19, 2018.   Herbert was born on Jan. 30, 1926, to Virgil and Florence Winegarner at home in Wichita, Kansas and lived there until he completed kindergarten. He came in 1932 with his folks to a farm five miles east of Campo where his family of five joined four other family members where they all lived in a dugout. When he was six years old, he rode a horse three miles south of the farm to a one-room school called Liberty Bell. The family later moved near Richards, Colo. and he attended another one-room school called Grandview. In 1934, he started school at Campo where he met his future wife, Delma Bryan. Both would go on to graduate from the eighth grade and high school at Campo.   Following graduation, Herbert entered the Army. He was active in the military from 1944-46, with his deployment including a stay in Okinawa for several months. During his service, he was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal. Upon return from his service, Herbert attended college at Oklahoma Panhandle State University. He graduated in 1950 and, shortly after, was wed to Delma in the country home of Oze and Pearl Dishman on Aug. 6, 1950. Herbert later completed his master’s degree in education in 1960 at Western State University in Gunnison, Colo. He went on to teach 35 years in the schools of Vilas, Campo and Holyoke, making a positive impact on the lives of many students.   Herbert and Delma were blessed with five sons. Norlan in 1951, Arlan in 1953, Gailan in 1955, Verlan in 1957 and Rolan in 1960. The couple raised their family in the community of Campo, Colo., where they lived on Highway 287 in a green house where many cherished memories were made. The family loved to travel, with trips to Yellowstone, the West Coast, Mexico City to the 1968 Olympics and many more.   Herbert and Delma were active members of the Springfield United Methodist Church where they, along with all five sons, were baptized in the church in 1964. They were active in the church, participating in choir and serving on various church committees.   As the sons grew and started families of their own, the Winegarner clan gathered together often, celebrating holidays, taking fishing trips to the mountains and rejoicing in each new addition to the family through marriage and birth. Two tremendous celebrations came when the family gathered for Herbert and Delma’s 50th and 60th anniversaries. The most recent gathering came in December 2017, where 45 Winegarners joined to celebrate Christmas, which made Herbert beam with pride.   Herbert is preceded in death by his wife Delma, his parents Virgil and Florence, Delma’s parents Ray and Esther Bryan, and his brothers Howard and Cecil. He is survived by his sons Norlan (Linda), Arlan (Peggy), Gailan (Sheryl), Verlan (Brenda) and Rolan (Deloris), 14 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and two sisters-in-law, Irene and Julia. He is also survived by his 100-year-old Aunt Alice, several nephews, nieces, cousins and a host of cherished neighbors and friends.   Memoriams may be made to the “Springfield United Methodist Church” MEMO: Fellowship Hall Fund/Winegarner memorial. Mail to SUMC PO BOX 193, Springfield CO 81073 or to the “Campo School” MEMO: Winegarner Scholarship. Mail to Campo School District ATTN: Nikki Johnson at P.O. Box 70, Campo, CO 81029. Donations can also be given or mailed to Maltbie Funeral Services.