ROCHESTER - Ronald "Ronnie" James Winterrowd, 64, of Rochester, died at 11:13 a.m. Oct. 11, 2008, in Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne.
He was born Sept. 28, 1944, in Rochester, to George and Hazel Garner Winterrowd. On July 11, 1965, in Trinity EUB Church, Rochester, he married Martha Butcher, who survives.
He was a lifetime Fulton County resident and a 1963 Rochester High School graduate. He worked at Lobdell-Emery, Argos, for 22 years until it closed in 2001. He also farmed with his father and continued after his father's passing. They grew corn and beans and raised hogs and Black Angus. In 1988, year of the Farm Progress Show in Fulton County, Beck's Hybrid Seed Co. honored him for growing the biggest ear of corn.
He enjoyed cheering for his daughters as they competed with the Lady Zebras swim team. He also loved attending Lady Zebras softball, basketball and volleyball. He could always be seen seated on the front row near the 10-second line cheering on the Lady Z's. It was a great memory when he was recognized for his perfect attendance as the Lady Zebra's number one sports fan in February 2005. Athletic Director Mark Miller presented him with a plaque at half time. With the arrival of the second generation, he was on hand to cheer for his grandchildren at all of their softball, basketball, baseball and volleyball games.
As a fan of radio talk shows, he led off his listening day with WROI then moving on to WWKI and on to WLS. He loved to manicure the landscape of his home and annually planted a vegetable garden. Until this year, he always canned and froze tomatoes for winter use.
He and Martha collaborated on a uniform business. His part of the production was to cut out the fabric patterns, interfacing and pockets - sized according to Martha's specifications. She, a talented seamstress, would then create the finished product that was complimented by a holiday or seasonal theme. He will be missed by his loving wife, children and grandchildren, who adore him, his devoted brothers and sister, his fellow Lady Zebra followers and the many friends he made along life's journey.
Also surviving are two daughters, Zorina (and spouse Timothy) Lewis, St. Petersburg, Fla., and Stacey (and spouse Dennis) Angrick, Greenwood; five grandchildren, twins Delaney and Madison Lewis and twins Chase and Shane Lewis, all of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Bailey Salts, Greenwood; a sister, Jackie (and spouse Jim) Reiken, Mentone; three brothers: Robert (and spouse Karen) Winterrowd, Rochester; Garry Winterrowd, Fort Wayne; and Robin W. Winterrowd, Palestine; and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W. 18th St., Rochester, with Chaplain Jason See officiating. Burial will be in Rochester IOOF.
Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. today and one hour prior to the service Wednesday at the funeral home.
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Memorials to Fulton County Humane Society Building Fund.
