GWINNER, Manfred A., 94, of Wheeling, died Monday, September 19, 2016 at Peterson Hospital.
He was born July 7, 1922 in Stuttgart, Germany, son of the late Arthur and Amelia Gwinner. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Carmen Montllor Gwinner, whom he married on May 25, 1944.
He served as a navigator in the Army Air Corps during WWII, having been shot down in a mission over Budapest on September 18, 1944 and taken to Germany as a prisoner of war. He learned to fly at age 16 and maintained a passion for flying throughout his life, traveling extensively with his wife in their Cessna 172 and feeling most at home in the air.
He also enjoyed his work life at Columbia University’s Lamont Geological Observatory in Nyack, NY and then at the SUNY at Stone Brook, where he retired from a position as supervisor of the Earth and Space Sciences machine shop.
His life is a marked by great faithfulness and concern for responsible stewardship, both in relation to his family and to God. Actively serving within the Lutheran Church his whole life, he was a member at Edgwood Lutheran since moving to Wheeling in 1990.
He is survived by one daughter, Christine Gold, of Wheeling; one son, Donald “Don” Gwinner and his wife Debra, of Lakewood, CO; three grandchildren, Jamie (Zach) Vigil, Molly (Luke) Christian and Austin (Sarah) Gwinner; two great-grandchildren, Hannah Gwinner and Rocklyn Vigil and two nephews, Gregory Montllor and Peter Motllor.
We think of you, Dad, with great admiration and fondness as a man worthy of imitation-in your love for your family and friends, your concern for and generosity toward many, your diligence and creativity in work and other activities, your faithfulness in praying and your simple trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. You have been a trustworthy navigator to us within this life and we seek to continue your legacy in reflecting your fine qualities to those around us and beyond.
Interment services will be held at Holly Memorial Gardens on Saturday, September 24, 2016 at 10:00am, followed by a memorial service and reception at Grace Lutheran Church (Edgwood Evangelical Lutheran Church) 1154 National Road, Wheeling, at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Timothy Spence officiating
Arrangements by the Altmeyer Funeral Home, 154 Kruger St. Elm Grove, Wheeling, WV. Online condolences may be extended to the family at www.altmeyerfuneralhomes.com.
Past Services
Service
Saturday September 24, 2016
2:00 pm
While I know you do to know me, my family were real good friends with the Gwiinners. I was the youngest and we all would get together frequently.
When I think of all the year we spent together. His Mom was a seamstress and woos sew al our party dresses. I remember watching th Hit Parade every Saturday night with Manfred ad may sister. . . . . I am now the only one left in my family. My best to you. . . . Lilo Meany
My sincere sympathy on the loss of your father. Fred and Carmen were good and kind neighbours.
Deepest sympathy to the family on your loss. Fred and Carmen were both kind and caring people.
My sincere sympathy to Mr. Guinner’s family & friends. Although I was his former neighbor, I didn’t see him often, but when I did, he was always very kind to me. I’m sure he will be missed.