John D. Winters

Mr. John D. Winters, 81, of Morris, died Monday, Nov. 23, 2009, at Morris Hospital.

Born July 21, 1928, in Evansville, Ind., he was the son of Frank and Clara Flentke Winters, who both preceded him in death. He married Marjorie Schlamp of Evansville on June 6, 1954. She preceded him in death on May 20, 1991. He married Marilyn Carlson of Morris on Aug. 2, 1992, and she survives him.

Survivors also include his daughter, Mrs. Thomas (Susanna) Davis of Channahon; his son, David M. (Marilyn) Winters of Bartlett, Ill.; one brother, Dr. Robert W. Winters of Elsinore, Denmark; eight grandchildren; two stepsons, Ken (Linda) Carlson of Salem, Ind., and Paul (Janet) Carlson of Springfield, Ill.; five step-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by an older brother, Frank H. Winters of Longboat Key, Fla., in 2003.

John  graduated from Bosse High School of Evansville in 1946 and from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in 1949 with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. He joined Caterpillar, Inc. in Peoria, Ill., after graduation and was employed there until September 1950, when he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He completed pilot training in 1952 and was commissioned as an officer.  He served as a jet fight pilot in the Korean conflict and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal in combat action there. He later served as an instructor pilot in the USAF All-Weather Interceptor School before being discharged in 1955.

John returned to Caterpillar, Inc. in Peoria and served in a variety of marketing management positions. In 1975, he became President of Caterpillar Brasil, South America, relocating to Sao Paulo, Brazil. In 1979, he returned to the U.S. and became manager of the Caterpillar Aurora Plant in Aurora, Ill. In 1983, he returned to Peoria as vice president with administrative responsibility for the Caterpillar Engine Division. He retired from the company in 1990.

John was a member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity and Tau Beta Pi Honorary Engineering Fraternity. He was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church of Peoria, retaining his membership while living in many other communities. He was active in alumni affairs at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Engineering degree in 1987 as a distinguished alumnus.