Funeral services were held March 21 at Central Christian Church in Jefferson for Tom Winger, 69, of Jefferson. Interment was at the Jefferson Municipal Cemetery.
The family was assisted by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home of Jefferson.
Thomas Eugene Winger was born October 12, 1948, to parents Betty (Thomas) and Eugene Winger. Tom became an eldest brother to Jerry, Jeff, Mike and Marion. The family was raised primarily in Scranton. As a youngster, Tom enjoyed all sports, fishing and working on cars with his dad and grandpa.
He graduated in 1966 from Orient-Macksburg High School. In 1968 he enlisted in the Army andserved a tour in Vietnam. He was recognized with a Bronze Star for his heroic service in
a combat zone. He also later served on the Jefferson fire department for many years.
On his birthday in 1979, Tom was united in marriage with Nancy Ferguson. She was the jewel of his whole life. They started their family with twin boys in 1980, Eric Thomas and Adam Michael. In 1982 they added a daughter, Nicole Lynn, to complete their family. Tom was a very involved husband and father. He coached countless youth teams for any activity the kids wanted to take up. He was a supporter of all kids and pushed them to be their best.
Tom loved people and he had a special way of making everyone feel how much he loved them. He could always make them laugh and was an eternal jokester. His love for life was contagious and he really just lived in the moment. He was a constant worker who was always into something. He spent countless hours restoring cars and boats. He could also often be found fishing, hunting, or walking in the timber. He was a rare talent that could do anything.
Tom and Nancy were later in life given the greatest joy, their grandchildren. He became known as Papa; that was his best role yet.
Tom died March 16, 2018. He will be greatly missed.
Thomas was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by wife Nancy; children Eric
(Uvette) Winger of Churdan, Adam Winger of Jefferson, and Nikki (Rudy) Uebel of Jefferson; brothers Jerry (Tina) Winger of Buchanan Dam, TX, Jeff (Mila) Winger of Gatesville, TX, Mike (Annette) Winger of Scranton, IA, and Marion (Diana) Winger of Omaha, NE; brothers-in-law Ron (Dru) Ferguson of Santa Fe, NM, and Dick (Clarice) Ferguson of Jamaica, IA; seven grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
