Windord "Wink" Coburn - St. Joseph, Mich.

Wednesday, December 19, 2001

Winford "Wink" Coburn, 79, died Saturday, Nov. 24, 2001, at his home. Coburn was born July 25, 1922, in Hollywood, Mo., to Walter and Bessie (Kinchen) Coburn. He was a World War II Army veteran stationed in the Asiatic Pacific Theater and Japan. On Feb. 11, 1949, he married the former Naomi Roy in Bald Knob. He was employed for 30 years by Superior Steel in Benton Harbor, then worked for Vail Rubber in St. Joseph. Coburn was one of the founders of North Lincoln Baseball League and umpired for 35-1/2 years in local leagues with his friend, Al Trimarco. He was a life member of the DAV.

He is survived by his wife, Naomi; his son and daughter-in-law, Barry and Angie Coburn of St. Joseph; daughters and sons-in-law, Laquda and Louie Miller of Benton Harbor, Patty and Bob Zinkel of Paw Paw, Stacie Coburn of Kalamozoo; grandchildren, Lori Pixler, Chris Miller, Bobby Zinkel, Gary Coburn, Niki McNeil, Jason Zinkel, Justin Coburn, Jess Coburn, Matt Zinkel, Greg McNeil, Timmy McNeil; great-grandchildren, Bryce McNeil, Olivia McNeil, Farr McNeil, Sam Bittner, Kirsten Bittner; and sisters, Eula DeFries of Benton Harbor, Gerl Dean Hackworth of Kennett and Eva Dee Blocker of Monette.

He was preceded in death by a son, Winford Gary Coburn, in 1968; his parents; a sister, Mary Lee Jones; and a brother, Dick Coburn.

Visitation was held from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1 at Starks and Menchinger Family Funeral Home in St. Joseph. Burial of ashes followed in North Shore Memorial Gardens, Hagar Shores.

The family requests that anyone wishing to leave a lasting memorial consider the Hospice of Stevensville or South Haven.