Darlene Shirley Winchester

Darlene S. Winchester, 90, of Eau Claire, passed away on Wednesday, February 10, 2016 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo, MI. A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM on Sunday, February 21, 2016 at Clark Chapel & Cremation Services, 405 Center St., Dowagiac, MI.  Burial will be held at a later date at Pipestone Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan-Rose Arbor in her memory. Those wishing to leave a memory or condolence of Darlene online may do so at www.clarkch.com.   Darlene was born on January 14, 1926 to Theodore “Pete” and Marjorie (Puterbaugh) Kesterke. She graduated from Dowagiac Union High School in 1944. Darlene worked for many years at Sundstrand Co. retiring in the early 90’s. She was a volunteer at the gift shop in Borgess Lee Memorial Hospital. Darlene enjoyed golfing at the Elks Club and bowling at the Silver Creek Bowling Alley. She was a member of the Ladies League team and the Behnke’s Paint and Floor Covering team. Darlene loved her family and loved taking care of her grandchildren.  Darlene is survived by her children, Michael (Sally) Winchester of Schoolcraft; John Winchester, Jr. of Decatur; Steven (Mary) Winchester of Coldwater and Julie (Brad) Farver of Decatur; ten grandchildren, Michele Winchester-Greer, Richard Winchester, Jennifer Winchester-Witt, John R. Winchester III, Sarah Hyatt, Melissa Craig, Marcus Winchester, Jarred Winchester, Heather Farver and Ashley Kotecki; twenty-three great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.  Darlene was preceded in death by her daughter, Susan Winchester, one brother, Duane Kesterke, one sister, DeLynn Kesterke and the late John R. Winchester, Sr.