Columbus
Henry Shannon Winters Jr. passed away September 4, 2016, at the age of 82. Henry is preceded in death by his mother, Carrie; his father, Henry; and his brother, Jimmy.
He is survived by his wife, Opal (Spurgeon) Winters; his brother, Charles Winters; four sons, David, Mark (Rachel), Tim (Susan), Scott (Dianna); also surviving are eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Henry was a 1965 graduate of Indiana University who served in the United States Army for four years. Henry was the owner of Winters Associates located in Bloomington and Columbus, Indiana. His interests were hunting, fishing and writing short stories.
For those who knew Henry Winters, they know all too well that he was a proponent for the elaborate and embellished details of life. Whether it was describing the weather on an ordinary day in Columbus or captivating the imaginations of school children through his tall tales of Tomber Creek, Henry knew any and every aspect of life was worth telling like a story because, to him, every detail of life was worth writing about. Needless to say, Henry’s rich view on life reflected through his everyday routine. Regardless of whether someone was just a mere acquaintance, friend or even family, Henry received everyone as if he was an old friend who had just picked up where he had left off. No face was a stranger to Henry, in fact, he actually got in trouble for waving to a little Amish girl in the grocery store, not realizing contact with a male figure was discouraged. Nevertheless, everywhere he went, Henry waved and started a conversation as if you had known him your entire life.
I believe it goes without saying that Henry’s greatest characteristic was the immense love he felt for his family, especially his beautiful wife, Opal Spurgeon Winters and his four boys, David, Mark, Tim and Scott. As an established author and storyteller, Henry maintained and recorded every life experience, in which every moment Opal was by his side. Henry once told me that the key to a happy marriage is to never go to bed angry with your spouse, because in his case, if Opal wasn’t happy, “ain’t no one happy.” Obviously, his rule of life worked, illustrating 60 years of marriage. Through my experience, Henry’s life was centered around Opal and his family. He was motivated, driven and dedicated because of this love. Because of Henry Shannon Winters, life will forever remain just as large as his stories.
The funeral service will be conducted at 12 p.m., Friday, Sept. 9, 2016, at Adams Funeral Home, 209 S. Ferguson St., Henryville, Indiana 47126, with Pastor Guy Armstrong officiating. Calling will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home on Jonathan Moore Pike and from 11 a.m. until service time Friday at Adams Funeral Home. Full military rites will be presented by the Sellersburg American Legion Post 204.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the Winters family at barkesweaverglick.com.
Arrangements are being handled by Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home.
