ELLEN WINEINGER

LAMAR-A private family memorial service with full military honors will be held at a later date for Ellen Bernice Wineinger, 78, Lamar, who died Monday, Aug. 3, 2015, at her daughter, Pam Wineinger and Ricky Windes' home, where she had stayed during her long illness.

Arrangements are under the direction of Daniel Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lamar Animal Shelter.

Condolences may be shared at www.danielfuneralhome.net.

Survivors include two daughters, Brenda Striener and husband Larry and Pamela Wineinger and Ricky Windes, all of Lamar; four grandchildren, Allen Crockett and wife Timberly, Celeste Chaligoj and husband Joe, Camille Potter and Kenny Blanchard and Courtney Moeller and four great-grandchildren, Hades McCaslin, Aiden Chaligoj, Rebecca Chaligoj and Amielia Blanchard.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, in 2010 and two sisters, Shirley Hood and Juanita Hobbs.

Mrs. Wineinger was born Nov. 12, 1936, at Kingsport, Tenn., to Harvey and Violet (Dolan) Rowland. After graduating from high school in 1954 she entered the U.S. Air Force. While stationed at Scott Air Force Base in 1955, she met and married the love of her life, Robert Wineinger, an AF avionics instructor. She completed her Air Force enlistment May 1, 1956 and began a long and varied civil service career. She first worked in the education office at Scott AFB, then transferred to Big Springs, Texas, where she worked for civilian airlines as secretary of the NCO Club. The final duty station for the Wineinger family took them to Camp New Amsterdam and they lived in Holland from 1969 through 1974.

A top priority for Robert and Ellen was keeping their family close. Their dream of buying a farm just big enough for all of their family to enjoy country life became a reality in 1974 when they settled south of Lamar in Barton County. Mrs. Wineinger continued her civil service career, working in the social security office in Nevada until retiring in 1999. She then worked part time for H&R Block until 2009.

When illness made it difficult to live alone, she and her best friend and constant companion, her puppy Bella, were welcomed into Pam and Ricky's home. She was tenderly cared for by her loving family and surrounded by the beauty of nature in her country home.