MESA, Ariz. - George A. Winsley, 74, of Mesa, Ariz., died Feb. 18, 2010, in his residence. The prayers and well wishes of family and friends surrounded him as he went peacefully to his heavenly home after a short, impossible fight with Merkle Cell cancer. He and his family received excellent care and support from Hospice of the Valley during his last days.
He was born Feb. 11, 1936, to Donald and Helen Haines Winsley. On Dec. 24, 1955, in his mother's residence in Pierceton, he married Geraldine Augst of Lake Odessa, Mich. She survives.
He spent his first 18 years in Pierceton, and graduated from Pierceton High School in 1954. He received many honors playing basketball and running track. His Pierceton High School record for the 440-yard race still stands. The school closed in 1971. He joined the U.S. Marines in 1955, and was honorably discharged in 1959.
Throughout he and Geraldine's marriage, they lived in Mesa, Queen Valley and Yuma, Ariz.; Pine Bluff, Ark.; Port Charlotte, Fla.; Evansville; Charlotte, Woodland and Lansing, Mich.; Jacksonville, N.C.; San Diego, Calif.; and while he was stationed in Puerto Rico, she stayed with her mother-in-law in Pierceton.
He retired from General Motors Warehouse & Distributing Division, Lansing, Mich., in June 1992. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, playing golf (he even got a hole in one), traveling, woodworking, reading and perfecting his favorite recipes. However, his favorite activity was discovering the best restaurants across the country and mapping travel routes for self, friends and family to hit them all. He was more reliable than GPS.
Also surviving are a son, Donald (and spouse Liz) Winsley, Auburn; three daughters: D'Anna (and spouse Richard) Matney, Mesa; D'Lynn (and spouse Jeff) Smith, Charlotte, Mich.; and Dana (and spouse Keith) Greenwood, Ganodo, Ariz.; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Karen (and spouse Dale) Wine, Pierceton, and Rita Werstler, Pensacola, Fla.; an Uncle Bud (and spouse Francis) Haines, Goshen; Aunt Betty Haines, North Webster; many nieces and nephews; dear friends; and Gizmo II, his pampered Bichon-Shitzu. He was preceded in death by his father; mother; stepfather, Raymond Wagoner; father-in-law, Gerald Augst; mother-in-law, Rose Augst; brother-in-law, Owen Augst; and nephew, Troy Augst.
A celebration of his life will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Pierceton United Methodist Church.
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Memorials may be by donating your time and/or money to your local hospice or Relay for Life.
