Winston Arthur Tritch

Winston A. Tritch, 88, fell into eternal rest with Jesus on Monday, November 28, 2016 at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center following a brief illness.

Winston was born June 19, 1928 to the late Arthur and Emma Gerdes Tritch in Lafe where he was united with Christ in Holy Baptism on July 15, 1928 into the faith which he confirmed at St. Johns Lutheran Church on May 17, 1942. He attended the Lutheran school at St. Johns Lutheran Church before graduating from Lafe High School.

He was preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law, Mayme Valentine Brown; father-in-law, Calvin Brown; sisters, Irene (late Mack) Lewis, Mabel (late Bernhard) Lueker, Ruth (late Walter Sr.) Lange, and Opal Spellmeyer; and brothers, Ervin, Marvin, and Leo Tritch.

Winston is survived by his high school sweet heart and wife of 68 years, Doris Brown Tritch; children, Brenda (Don) Nierman, Gary (Janet Stacy) Tritch, Linda (Dave) Glatz, Beverly (Matt) Appling, Judy (Pat) Deluccia, and Jacquelyn (Paul) Cole.

Winston was blessed with 14 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren, Scott (Dawn) Nierman, children Trevor, Chase, Brady, Evan, Chad (Wanda) Nierman, son Zane, Joel (Kelly) Nierman, children Dennis and Wesley, Amy Tritch (Paul) Stavnes and children Taylor, Cade, Ryann, Elijah, Brett (Leanne) Tritch and children Tyler and Luke, Jeff (Jackie) Glatz, Angie Glatz (Lewis) Adams and children Grant and Lauren, Michelle Creaghan, Dan (Angelina) Creaghan and children Winston and Miles, April Horst and children Gracyn and Easton, John Thornton, Nicholas (Bri) Cole and children Caraline and Isabelle, Michael (Marissa) Cole, and Zachary Cole.

Winston is also survived by sisters, Lucille (late Allen Jr.) Brasher and Nadine (Jimmie) Green; brother, Gilbert (Naomi) Tritch; brothers-in-law, Bob (late Opal) Spellmeyer and Verlin (Iris) Brown; sisters-in-law, Margie Ward (late Leo) Tritch, Lydia Lueker (late Marvin) Tritch, and Lola (late Ervin) Tritch.

Winston will be missed by numerous nieces and nephews and their families as well as his many friends and church family of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Lafe.

Winston lived much of his life in Lafe where he worked along side his siblings on the Tritch Family Farm. He also worked side by side on the Terminal Rail Road with both his late father-in-law, Calvin Brown, and his older brother, Leo Tritch, for well over 30 years. He and Doris moved their family to St. Louis where they resided for many years raising their children but returned to Lafe when he took early retirement from the railroad. He never stopped working as he spent many hours on the Tritch farm with his nephews, drove the school bus routes for Marmaduke School District, served on many community boards and church boards and elder and officer of his home church of St. Johns Lutheran.

Winston was an enthusiastic fan of baseball and a dedicated follower and fan of his favorite team the St. Louis Cardinals. His greatest love first and foremost, above family, friends, and baseball was of course the love he had for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, which he shared with many with his words and always through his actions to any and all whom he encountered.

The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 4-8 at Heath Funeral Home. An additional visitation will be from 9-11 AM Thursday at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Lafe. A celebration of his life will begin at 11:30 AM at the church with Pastor Aaron Neugebauer officiating. Burial will be in St. Johns Cemetery. Pallbearers will be of his grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be Gilbert Tritch, Verlin Brown, Jimmie Green, and Bob Spellmeyer. Memorials may be sent to St. Johns Lutheran Church.