Lois (Hicks) Winegar
Lois Blanche Almira (Hicks) Winegar, 90, of Howell, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2025 in Howell, Michigan.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. William J.B. and Lois (Parker) Hicks, her loving husband of fifty-nine years, Dr. George Winegar, DVM, and daughter-in-law, Cindy Winegar. She is survived by her four children, Kathleen Branch Nelson (Jim) of Virginia Beach, VA; Brian Winegar (Jill) of Howell, MI; Keith Winegar (Denice) of Lino Lakes, MN; and Ben Winegar (Jill) of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA.
Additionally, she was blessed by her eight grandchildren, Timothy Winegar (Shannon) of Hoffman Estates, IL; Allison Rahn of Howell, MI; Matthew Branch (Jill) of Chesapeake, VA; Zachary Branch (Emily) of Aiea, HI; Emma Winegar (AJ) of Madison, WI; Peter Winegar (Greta) of Oakland, CA; Jonathan Winegar (Katie) of Santa Clara, CA; and Thomas Winegar of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA; and her two step-grandchildren, Louis Nelson (Kristine) of Charlottesville, VA; and Amanda (Thomas) Hayslett of Signal Mountain, TN.
She is also survived by eleven great-grandchildren, Owen, Reese, Finley, and Norah Winegar; Kayden and Isabella Rahn; Christian and Colin Branch; and Bentley, Cooper, and Charlotte Branch; and six step-great-grandchildren, Nathanael Nelson (Shira), Perri Nelson, Parker (Ben) Scott, Elizabeth Hayslett, Nelson Hayslett, and Rebecca Hayslett.
Born on April 16, 1935, in Howell, Michigan, Lois attended school in Brighton, Michigan where her mother taught at Brighton High School from 3rd through 10th grade. She graduated as the valedictorian of the Fowlerville High School Class of 1952 and earned her BA in Early Childhood Education (MSU 1955), MA in Communications (Public Relations) (MSU 1973), and AS in Data Processing (Lansing Community College).
Lois married her high school sweetheart, George Winegar, in December 1953, while attending Michigan State University. They traveled to Pasadena to watch the Spartans beat UCLA in the Rose Bowl for their honeymoon and returned to Howell. As newlyweds, George and Lois lived on the farm that has been in her family since 1842. She worked at McPherson Health Center, Citizen’s Insurance, Michigan State University, and she held a variety of data processing and technical writing positions in both Michigan and Maryand.
Lois was active in her community and served as secretary of the Howell School Board, volunteered at the Howell Archives, was a Sunday School teacher at First Presbyterian Church (Howell) and was a Cub Scout Den Leader and 4-H Club Leader. She held membership in the Farmer’s Club, Civil War Round Table, Fowlerville High School Alumni Association, and the Livingston County Genealogical Society. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Howell.
George and Lois lived in Howell until his career with the USDA took them to Managua, Nicaragua for a two-year assignment. They spent twelve years in Laurel, Maryland, before returning to Howell in their retirement. They enjoyed visiting family, traveling the world, and sharing the history of their community and family with those they met.
A celebration of Lois’ life will be held at First United Methodist Church in Howell on November 10, 2025 at 11 AM with a luncheon to follow at the church. She will join four generations of her family in final rest at Lakeview Cemetery, Howell, Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, Howell Community Giving Garden or the Fowlerville High School Alumni Association PO Box 446 Fowlerville MI 48836
No comments:
Post a Comment