Leo Winters Obituary

LEO WESLEY WINTERS
April 9, 1924 ~ December 20, 2015

Leo Wesley Winters was born in Nagaunee, MI to Finnish immigrants, Isaac and Matilda Winter, the 4th of 5 children. He grew up in the small town of Gwinn, MI, a cheerful boy with a great love of the outdoors.
After serving for a time in the CCC's, he joined the Navy and served in the Pacific during WWII.
In 1947, Leo began his 37-year career working for the railroad.
In 1961, he met and married the sweetheart of his life, Lee. They were married 55 years.
On May 9, 1969, Leo and Lee listened to a Pastor explain the great need that everyone has for a Saviour. He shared with them out of the Scriptures, Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.". They knew that they were sinners too. Next, the Pastor shared Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death...". They realized that they would experience that penalty of sin. That penalty or wage would be eternal punishment for the sins they had committed against God. But then the Pastor shared with them the hope of God's great love that He showed to the world by sending His son, Jesus Christ, to die in his place, paying that penalty of sin with His own life. John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.". After hearing all this, Leo turned to Lee and said, "Who do we know that would love us enough to give his life for us?". They both went forward that day, asked for Christ's forgiveness for their sins and gave themselves to Him. That moment would change their lives forever.
Soon the Lord began opening opportunities service. God used Leo's great love for children. How they loved him too! His cheerfulness and love for Jesus was irresistible for kids. First, Leo and Lee opened their home to foster children for a time. They then ministered to the deaf and blind children in Vancouver, WA for five years. God opened another opportunity with Child Evangelism Fellowship, putting on Bible Clubs for children around the Vancouver area. Leo retired from the railroad in 1984. He decided that he wanted to use the rest of his life to serve the Lord. God called Leo and Lee to serve with an evangelist who traveled and spoke at revivals in Mexico. Though Leo's main responsibility was driving, he stayed busy doing anything he could do to help, from setting up and taking down the tent, to ministering to people and much more. In 1990, the Lord shut the door of that work and it was then, that Leo and Lee set out on their own ministry in Mexico. They served in many ways, including making arrangements for other ministry teams, helping build churches, feeding the poor and ministering to needs, but their focus remained on working with the children. Leo loved teaching them, being a clown for them, playing with them and just having a "jim dandy" time with them! They served in Mexico 5-8 months a years until 2011. God Himself only knows how many people were blessed and how many lives changes because of Leo's faithfulness. Timothy 4:7 says, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:", Leo fought the good fight. He kept the faith. Hebrews 12:1, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.", Leo ran the race and by God's grace, he finished well!
On Sunday, December 20, 2015, at the age of 91, surrounded by his wife and family, Leo was called to his Eternal home.
Leo is survived by his devoted wife, Lee; their three children, Kathleen Winters, Michael Morrow, Sandra Enger; foster son, George Coop; four granddaughters, Onya, Georgiana, Dawn (deceased), and Ramona; eight great-grandchildren; one sister, Eleanor; many nephews and nieces; and also a host of dear friends that meant so much to him. He affected their lives in many ways. As one person said, "He was the kindest man I ever knew." He will be greatly missed!
There will be a memorial service to honor his life at a later date.
Please sign his guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.