Winona Tucker

JERSEYVILLE-  Winona Lenore "Winnie" Tucker, 93, died peacefully at 5:45 a.m., Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at the Willow Rose Rehab & Health Care in Jerseyville.She was born in Belleview, Calhoun County, Illinois on May 6, 1919, and was the daughter of the late Leslie and Winona (Bess) Wineland.As a young girl her family moved to Jerseyville where she was raised and attended schools.  She worked for over 20 years in the primer department at Olin Corp in East Alton.Throughout the years, Winnie watched many children and helped inspire and mold them throughout their adult lives.  She was a giving woman, and enjoyed making candy, especially during Christmas time, when many family and friends were the benefactors of her divinity.Winnie was formerly married to Arthur "Bud" Tucker, and together they had four children.  She was devoted to her family, and because of the tragic death of her son, Arthur during the Vietnam War, she became a tireless and devoted member of the American Gold Star Mothers.Her passion and dedication to the Gold Star Mothers knew know boundaries, and she served as President of not only the local and state associations, but moved to Washington DC, where she served as the national President for over 12 years.Surviving are two daughters & a son in law, Beth & Bob Frye and Kathy Plough all of Jerseyville; 10 Grandchildren; 25 Great Grandchildren; 23 Great Great Grandchildren; a sister, Connie Allen of Henderson, Nv; along with numerous nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her father, Leslie Wineland;her mother, Winona Reed; a son, Arthur Tucker who was killed in action during the Vietnam War; a daughter, Carmen Burgess Woodring on Sept. 10, 2008; a grandson, Daniel Burgess; two great grandchildren, Jordan Partridge and Jada Plough; and three sisters, Geraldine Rue, Carmen Waymack and Marian Wineland.Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville, where funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday.  Darrell Nash will officiate.She will be laid to rest alongside her son and daughter at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville.Memorials may be given to the American Gold Star Mothers in care of the funeral home

Obit Provided By:
Crawford Funeral Home