Dwight Winans

A Life of Community Service

At the age of 90, Dwight Wayne Winans passed away peacefully on December 27, 2019 in Garden Grove California. Born to Myrtle and Glenn Winans in Villa Park, Illinois on September 10, 1929, Dwight was the youngest of three sons; his two older half-brothers were Maurice and Gail Jackson whom he idolized.

Dwight’s childhood was filled with fun and games. He excelled at any sport he tried and made friends easily-a trait that served him well all of his life as he devoted himself to a life of community service. He served in the Elmhurst Junior Chamber of Commerce, Grand Terrace Lions Club, Loma Linda Eye Foundation and Guide Dogs of the Desert. He was a natural leader, distinguishing himself in Lions as District Governor and a Melvin Jones Fellow; receiving the Helen Keller Award and Life Membership from the Eye Foundation; and serving on the Board of Guide Dogs.

A 1947 graduate of York High School in Elmhurst, Illinois, Dwight missed military service during World War II, but service to his country was important and soon after graduation, he enlisted in the Army. He returned home the following year to become a reservist for seven years with the Illinois National Guard.

Married at 20 to Marcella Chant, a high school sweetheart, he began his adult life as a linotype operator for a variety of local newspapers while working nights and weekends in his parents’ print shop. During that time, he and Marcella had three children-Cathy, Doug, and Nancy. In 1960, sunny Southern California beckoned him and he moved his family to Covina. In 1964, his fourth child, Cindy was born.

As life moved on, Dwight was married two more times and switched to a career in printing sales. His last marriage was to Dee. They were together for almost 30 years until she passed away in 2014. She was his best friend and partner in all things “Lions”. They enjoyed a full life which included Dwight’s step children, Deverie, Derek and Paul.

What everyone loved about Dwight was his patience, kindness, an unfailing devotion to making his community better and his trademark dry sense of humor, still intact at the end of his life. He helped many a person who needed shelter, food, clothing and life advice. He was a man who would give you the shirt off his back. He was a dog lover and wept openly at each Guide Dog graduation, appreciative of the life-changing assistance each dog brought to its owner. Retiring in his 70s, Dwight kept up with his athletics participating in bowling, golfing and baseball.

The last four years of his life he was in the care of a wonderful community of caregivers at two Brookdale facilities. While he had lost much of his memory and physical strength, he still managed to engage in life around him-singing, painting, playing ball, cracking jokes. Known as “Uncle” Dwight to his fellow Lions, he will be remembered for being a genuinely good man with a quick smile-and a full head of hair!

Dwight is survived by his oldest daughter, Cathy Winans and her husband, Bill Shaddle; daughter-in-law Sue Winans, wife of Dwight’s deceased son Doug; middle daughter, Nancy Winans and her husband, Dan Quinto; youngest daughter, Cindy Johnson and her husband, Steve Johnson; stepdaughter, Deverie Avila; stepson Derek Peterson and his wife, Susan; and stepson Paul Robertson and his wife Cat; seven grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren; and his furry companion, Buddy, a 15 year old Shih Tzu.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to one of Dwight’s favorite charities: Guide Dogs of the Desert, 60740 Dillon Road, Whitewater, CA 92282 or https://www.guidedogsofthedesert.org/donate/ or text 760.249.7269.

Additionally, please share your favorite Dwight stories on the Miller Jones website for all to enjoy. We will share them at the reception on January 21, 2020.

If you have any favorite photos, please email them to [email protected].