Frederick Winter

Fred Winter, 103 years old, passed away Monday, July 9, 2018 at his home.

Fred Winter was a former Holland High School teacher, having taught there for more than 25 years, serving in the Holland Junior and Senior High Schools.

Fred was born June 1, 1915 in Scranton, Pennsylvania to Fred and Agatha Petz Winter. Fred graduated from York College, York, Nebraska with a BS Degree and a MS Degree from Creighton University in Omaha.

Winter served 30 years in the active Naval Reserves, seeing duty in the fleet and amphibious command. He saw action at the Battle of Okinawa. In his naval career he was awarded thirteen medals of citation.

During his tenure as a teacher he wrote and published a book on teaching Old Testament in high school. He was a member of the American Archaeology Expedition to Israel two summers.

He owned and operated the Winter Tax and Accounting Service for over thirty years.

Fred Winter participated in the Senior Olympics on both state and national levels for more than 30 years in track and field events. He holds more than 60 medals in the events.

In 2016 Fred was inducted into the Michigan Senior Olympics Hall of Fame. That year he was also selected as one of five centenarians from across the US to be included in an exhibit in the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, recognized for his achievements after the age of 100.

In 2018 he was honored by the Governor’s Fitness Award Council and nominated as Veteran of the Year. The council named him the most active senior veteran in the state of Michigan.

Mr. Winter is survived by his wife of 67 years, the former Darlene Groen whom he married in 1950, and two daughters, Bette Fedorchik of College Station, Texas and Darla Winter of Holland. He has six grandchildren: Joey (Emily) Fedorchik of Denver, Colorado; Captain Misha Fedorchik, US Airforce; Thomas (Rebecca) Fedorchik of San Antonio, TX; Alex (Esther) Moritz; Andrew Moritz; Kathryn (Robbie Valdez) all of Holland and a great grandson Julian Valdez.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 pm, Friday, July 13, 2018 at Fellowship Reformed Church, 300 N. 168th Avenue in Holland. Reverends James Baar and David Blauw will be officiating. Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 6-8 pm, Thursday, July 12, 2018 at Dykstra Funeral Home, 295 Douglas Avenue in Holland. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions would be suggested for the Fellowship Reformed Church Missions fund, the Salvation Army or the Michigan Senior Olympics. To sign an on-line registry or leave a memory please visit www.dykstrafuneralhome.com