James Oliver Winchenbach, 87, of Chelsea, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Dec. 10 peacefully at Maine Veterans Home, Augusta, where he had resided for the past three years.
He was born in West Waldoboro on Oct. 17, 1925 to Alton G. and Nettie (McLain) Winchenbach.
Jim graduated from Waldoboro High School in the class of 1943. He joined the U.S. Navy on Sept. 23, 1943 and was honorably discharged on June 5, 1946 with the rank of Yeoman Third Class. He served in the amphibious forces where he received the Victory Medal and the American Theater Campaign Ribbon.
Jim worked as a carpenter most of his life and belonged to the local Union 1996 for 50 years. He worked on many buildings in the Augusta area, including the Muskie Federal Building from start to finish, as well as buildings in many other places.
Jim was a member of the Advent Christian Church, where he served as a deacon, and belonged to the Meenahga Grange, Odd Fellows Lodge and American Legion Post 149 in Waldoboro.
On Sept. 1, 1953, Jim was married in the Mt. Vernon Baptist Church to his loving wife, Sylvia Currier Winchenbach, of Mt. Vernon. They celebrated their 59th anniversary on Sept. 1.
Jim loved to hunt and fish and had many happy times doing so with his brothers-in-law Frank Currier and Bud Black. He was a loving husband and a wonderful father, grandfather and great-grandfather and was loved so much by his wife, his sons and their families.
Jim was predeceased by his parents; brother, Eugene Winchenbach; and sister, Sadie Little.
He is survived by his wife, Sylvia C. Winchenbach; sons, James A. Winchenbach, wife Susan of Milford and their children, Jenny Leverknight and husband Mike and their twins, Emma and Jacob, all of Nevada, and Brendon and Jared Winchenbach of Milford, and Allan C. Winchenbach Sr. of Sidney and his children, Allan Jr. and Melissa of Portland; sister, Martha Boggs; and cousin, Eleanor Smith, both of Waldoboro; along with several nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., Fri., Dec. 14 at Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home, One Church St., Augusta. Celebration of Jim’s life 10 a.m., Sat., Dec. 15 at the funeral home followed by a committal service and interment with full military honors at German Cemetery on Rt. 32 (Bremen Rd.) in Waldoboro.
Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.
