Walter Winger

Reverend Walter Orval Winger
1929  - 2021

After a full career in Pastoral Ministry and Christian Education, Walter "finished the race" on Tuesday, Oct 12, at Fairvern Nursing Home in his 93rd year.  Born in Kindersley, SK, Walter was predeceased by his parents Rev. Marshall & Ethel (Bitner) Winger, and by all of his siblings and their spouses -- Oliver & Dorothy Winger, Mildred & Walter Lehman, Murray & Pauline Winger, Verna & Harold Heise, Paul Winger, and Rhoda Winger.

Walter is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Lois (Heise) Winger, and their family, Larry (Carrie) - Allendale, UK; Lee (Shelley) - North Pelham, ON; and Scott (Jodee) - Havertown, PA.  Loving grandfather of Breanna (Jon), Benjamin (Kerry), Matthew (Amanda), Christopher, Jesse (Alanna), Zachary and Amelia, and great grandfather of Oscar, Arthur, Adelaide, Anelise, Dorothy and Jude.

While starting out in business as a butcher with his father, Walter entered pastoral ministry after his father's death and went on to pastor churches in Ontario, Pennsylvania, New York and California in his 65 year career.

Walter graduated from Ontario Bible School (Niagara Christian Collegiate), Ontario Bible College (Tyndale University) B th., Temple University, M.Sc in Ed., and Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, D.Min.

Christian Education was always an interest of Walter's, beginning at the start of his career teaching Bible classes at NCC, and continuing on to teaching classes in pastoral ministry and Bible at Messiah University, Roberts Wesleyan College, Azusa Pacific University, and including a term as President of Niagara Christian Collegiate.

The concluding years of Walter's ministry were with the three Presbyterian Churches of Magnetawan, Sundridge and Burk's Falls, and in many respects these were the years that he enjoyed the most. None of his long career would have been possible without the loving support of his dear wife, Lois, who faithfully stood by his side throughout all of the many challenges of life and ministry.

Special Thanks to the Fairvern LTC Nursing Home staff, the nurses and doctors at the Huntsville hospital, the Country Moments Retirement Home staff, Mark & Lila Langford, and all of the many friends that they have known through the years.

Visitation will be held at the Opatovsky Funeral Home – Dempster Chapel, 210 Ontario Street in Burk’s Falls on Thursday, October 21, 2021 from  1- 3 & 6 - 8 pm. (Please reserve a time to avoid a crowd during visitation)
A Funeral Service led by Reverend Steven Smith, will be conducted at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 1 High Street in Huntsville on Friday, October  22, 2021 commencing at 2:00 pm.  Private interment in the Chapman Cemetery, Magnetawan.

For those wishing to attend the service virtually, please register below for the live stream.

PLEASE NOTE: As per the directive of the Bereavement Authority of Ontario, COVID-19 protocols are in place; masks and social distancing are mandatory.  Registration for the service and visitation is required, please RSVP at www.opatovskyfuneralhome.com or call 705-382-3222
Capacity for the service is limited to 100 people

In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation to the Alzheimer's Society of Canada would be gratefully appreciated by the family.