J. LeRoy "Shorty" Wineburner

John LeRoy “Shorty” Wineburner, 88, of Tremont, passed away Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria. 

He was born June 14, 1933 in Pekin to John E. and Audrey Davis Wineburner.  He was married to his high school sweetheart, Marylin M. Beyer on October 17, 1953, and she passed away on November 22, 2000. He was also preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Lloyd W. Wineburner, born March 5, 1932 and died December 29, 2009. 

Surviving are his three children, Todd Jeffery Wineburner of Pontiac, James Kirk (Susan) Wineburner of Chicago, and Pamela Sue (John) Aiello of Peoria; four grandchildren, Rachel Nicole Aiello, Anthony John Aiello, James Temple Wineburner, and Eva Maridith Wineburner; one sister-in-law, Sally M. Campbell of Appleton, WI; and two nephews, John R. (Angie) Wineburner of Fremont, WI and David (Carrie) Wineburner of Woodruff, WI. 

After graduating from Tremont High School, Shorty was employed by Keystone Steel and Wire Foundry.  After leaving Keystone, he became a licensed plumber and worked for Schmidgall Plumbing, and eventually became the sole proprietor of Wineburner Plumbing and Heating in 1971 and retired in 1998. 

He was a  U.S. Army veteran of the 82nd Airborne Division. 

He was a longtime member of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, longtime member of Tremont Fire Protection District rising to the rank of Captain, member of Tremont District 702 school board from 1964-1976, lifetime member of the Tremont Baptist Church serving on the board of trustees and as the church Moderator, lifetime member of the Tremont American Legion Post 1236 rising to the rank or Commander, and a member of the Tazewell Military Rites Team. 

He began his love of sports at Tremont High School, where he received as Honorable Mention All-State Athlete (Football).  He was also a member of the baseball, basketball, and wrestling teams.  Throughout his life, he loved watching football, baseball, boxing, college basketball, and NASCAR. 

A celebration of his life will be from 12:30 to 2:30 pm Friday, May 20, 2022 at Davis-Oswald Funeral Home in Tremont for visiting and sharing. Military honors will be conducted at 4:00 pm at the Tremont American Legion Hall.  A social hour will follow with food provided by the Legion.  The public is welcome to attend. John and Marylin’s ashes will be interred at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin with a private family graveside this summer. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family, OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria, Tremont American Legion, or Tremont Fire Protection District.

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