John R. Winings

John R. Winings, 78, of Carterville, passed away Sunday, March 23, 2025, surrounded by family at his daughter’s home in Wildwood, Missouri.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Riggin-Pillatsch & Burke Funeral Home in Carterville, with Ron Mann officiating. Burial will be in Willowrest Cemetery in Carterville. Visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., Saturday, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Carterville Police Department.

John was born on July 7, 1946, in Urbana, Illinois, to Robert Lawrence and Lois Mae (Ordel) Winings. He married Brenda Kay Norton on June 14, 1970, in Crainville.

He is survived by his wife, Brenda Winings; daughter, Cara (Patrick) Bryan; sons, Mark Winings (fiancée, Angie Young), and Jeremy Winings; grandchildren, Colton Winings, Eva Bryan, and Maya Grace Bryan; sisters, Darlene Wood and Karen Sue Page; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Paul Norton, David Norton, Connie (Jan) Christy, and Jerry White; plus many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

John was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Lila Winings; and sister-in-law, Debbie White.

John honorably served his country in the United States Air Force as part of the Reserve Unit at Chanute Air Force Base in Urbana. After his service, he began his teaching career in 1970 at Prairie States Junior College before moving on to teach at Purdue University, where he played a key role in the establishment of the Dental Program.

John dedicated much of his career to education as a professor of Dental Technology at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, where he taught from 1979 to 2011.  John also ran a dental laboratory from his home in Carterville.

Outside of his professional life, John cherished spending time with his beloved family. When his kids were young, John was a Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 77 in Carterville. He enjoyed jogging in the morning, traveling with his wife and family, keeping up with his grandkids, and was an avid supporter of SIUC Saluki Basketball.

Lord, we thank you for the life of John R. Winings. May he rest in peace and his memory be a blessing to all who loved him. Amen.

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