Evelyn Winter Obituary

On Monday, February 16, 2026, 94-year-old Evelyn Clarice Winter signed her life's portrait. When the paint dried, and the picture was hung, the artist went on to bigger and better things. One moment she was laboriously breathing the stale air of earth, the next she was effortlessly inhaling the fresh air of heaven in the presence of her Lord and Savior.

Evelyn was born into humble surroundings in Stephenson, Michigan, raised on a developing dairy farm to parents Walter and Mildred Wangerin on October 25, 1931. She would venture to the lower peninsula and attend Adrian College, where she earned an AA degree in Secretarial Science. There she met Edward Winter and they were married in August 1953, 3 months before he was drafted into the Army. When he returned, they moved to West Lafayette, Indiana where Ed finished his BS and PhD degrees at Purdue University in Chemical Engineering. While there their two sons, Bruce and Glenn, were born and Evelyn began a lifetime of keeping everyone organized. In addition to her new family, she also applied her college degree at Jones Hatchery in Lafayette.

Through the years Evelyn and family moved to Columbus, Ohio; East Detroit and Troy, Michigan; and back to Columbus; following her husband Ed's career. They settled a second time in Columbus for 23 years, sending both sons off to college, marriage, and their own careers and families. Evelyn served as secretary of the new Church of the Good Shepherd, pastored by Tom Wilson for more than half of those years. Evelyn and Ed moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for the last five years of Ed's career, retiring to Delaware, Ohio, in 1997. A new Christian Community called Willow Brook was just beginning, and they were one of the first residents. Evelyn would end up living in Willow Brook for 29 years, moving from a newly constructed twin single, to an independent living apartment, and finally in the last few months of her life an assisted living apartment. She would continue to keep her life, and many elements of Willow Brook organized and running effectively, as she had been trained so many years ago at Adrian College. It was her heart for organization that helped her serve and encourage so many people in her life, from new residents to Willow Brook, longtime friends from former days in college, and church families from each city she lived in.

But as much as she loved her life at Willow Brook, Evelyn's two main passions were her faith and her family. She was always involved in Bible Studies, missions, and other church activities, setting an example for her two sons from an early age. She and Ed became very involved in the Aldersgate Renewal Conferences of the United Methodist Church, and later with the Walk to Emmaus, where they led and sponsored many family and friends at these spiritual renewal weekends. It was her strong faith that pulled her heart towards her heavenly reward as she struggled with failing health.

Her passion for her family tugged at her heart here in this world. She always loved and encouraged her sons, Bruce (Carole) and Glenn (Eileen). She embraced their wives as her own daughters and celebrated the joy of each of her six grandchildren, Dan, Tim, Caleb, Steve, Jordan, and Emily. And as if that weren't enough joy, she couldn't believe the excitement of 18 great-grandchildren, the last two were born in England, two months before her death.

In addition to her two sons, five of her grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren, Evelyn is survived by her two younger sisters, Ruth Hendra and Karen Gravenkamp, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ed, four siblings (Kay, Charlotte, Floyd, and Edith), and her grandson Jordan.

A celebration of her life will be held on May 2, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Willow Brook Christian Village's Terrace Room.

Snyder Funeral Center, Delaware Chapel is assisting the family.

To share a fond memory of Evelyn or to offer condolences to her family, please visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.