Joseph “Joe” Edward Winfield aged 88 left us to be with the LORD the afternoon of April 26, 2015. He was at St. Peters Hospital after falling at home. Joe was surrounded by all his loving family when he joined the “Love of his life”, Ella Mae for the beginning of their new lives.
Joe was born August 13, 1926 in a small home in Helena Montana to Joseph H. Winfield and Katherine P. Winfield. He was the second child and first son of four children. The children were raised in a home at 312 13th Ave. in Helena.
The early years of his life were lived during the “Great Depression” tough times for everyone, but responsible for building great character and compassion that he would exhibit the rest of his life. Joe was in grade school when the earth quake hit Helena very hard. For a time he had to go to school in a railroad box car until the school was repaired and safe to attend.
During that time the family had to live with one of Katherine’s sisters on their ranch at the mouth of Confederate Gulch. The Gross family had homesteaded in that area, years before. He had some great times at the ranch with his cousins, and by some of the stories as to what they were up to, was kind of lucky to survive. He and one of the Tennison boys were going to go horse riding together on one of Uncle Charlie’s horses. They had found a small box of blasting caps somewhere in their travels and Joe put them in his shirt pocket. They took off on the horse to do what young boys do. After a time they figured they had enough fun, besides they were hungry, so they headed home. They hadn’t figured out what to do with the blasting caps, so he gave them a toss. Soon after the explosion they were afoot. The horse beat them back to the ranch by several minutes. Their education was furthered with woodshed time when they got back.
Joe had a paper route to help out when he was growing up. He would pick up the papers by the Parrot downtown early in the morning and start folding them. And have them all delivered before school that morning.
Joe attended the Catholic grade school and graduated 8th grade there. He then attended Helena High and graduated in the Class of 1944.
He played the violin in the orchestra, played football and basketball, was in the Civil Air Patrol and the Radio Communications Club. He made so many lifelong friends during High School and the “gang” had some great times. Joe knew what he wanted to do when he was able to enlist, Army Air Corp and flying. Upon his graduation at 17 in 1944 he enlisted. He was in boot camp soon after, then specialized flight, aerial gunnery, and communications training.
Soon he was headed to the south pacific in the 5th Air Force as a radio operator and top turret gunner in a B25 Mitchell. They flew low and fast all over the Philippines. After the war was over his squadron was the first to occupy an air field in Japan, Atsugi Air Base. During Joes time in Japan he became a communications instructor for new air crews entering the occupational forces.
After the war Joe and some of his buddies that had come home went to work at West Yellowstone one summer. They found an old steering column from a junked car and put it in the ground near Old Faithful Geyser. They were at the wheel when the crowd started to mount first thing in the morning. As soon as it started to sputter one of them hollered “Let Her Go” and they started turning the wheel. The crowd was watching them turn the wheel as Old Faithful got higher and higher. When it was finished they hollered” shut her down” and turned the wheel the other way. A befuddled crowd meandered away with great wonder. I don’t think they got an “atta boy” for that one.
Joe then used his GI Bill and enrolled at Carroll College. He had some great times there going to school. It was then he met the “Girl of His Dreams” Ella Mae Dartman. They loved to dance at all the school functions and the Nite Owl.
August 5th, 1950 they were married in Hinsdale Montana and began their life together. Joe had taken a job with the Welfare Department as it was called at that time. He also worked nights at a service station owned by the Grimes brothers on Main Street.
In December of 1951 they had a son, Robert (Bob). They both spent the rest of their lives totally devoted to their very lucky son.
Fishing, camping, baseball, huge family gatherings with all the aunts, uncles and cousins was the order of the day. Joe loved to fish and could catch a fish when no one else could. Crick fishing was always his favorite. A number 6 hook; split shot weight and worms we found under cow pies while Mom was reading a book, that’s how we did it. Joe loved to hunt, especially pheasants. With Ella Mae being from Hinsdale it was a perfect match.
Holidays were a great time spent with family. We did so many things together and had so much fun it was usually more entertaining than a three ring circus.
Joe and Ella Mae spent their summers watching and following Bob play baseball. It didn’t matter where the game was, they were there. All over Montana and even following the Legion team on their two week road trips at the beginning of the season.
They made many trips to Pullman Washington to watch Bob play for Washington State University, and several Trips to Tacoma Washington to watch Bob play there.
When Bob was married to Linda things started all over again when Joe, Erik and Jenny arrived. Grandpa Joe and Grandma had new diamonds in their eyes. They were such a huge part of the grandkids lives. When Ella Mae passed away in February of 1988, just after they had retired together the year before it left a huge hole in Joe’s heart. One he couldn’t get over. He would tell the grandkids so many stories about her and always finish with “I miss her so much”.
Joe was on the road again watching Joe and Erik play baseball and football and Jenny play basketball, volleyball and showing her horse. The classic line “Are you blind blue” was oft used when Joe or Erik were at the plate and got a called strike that was more than obvious a ball. That was Grandpa!
Joe loved to take his grandkids kid fishing. Spring and summer months chasing brook trout in the streams followed by many days on the ice catching salmon. Even though his grandkids are accomplished fishermen, Joe would always have his limit before anyone, where he would then find himself coaching us on where to place the worm, fly or spinner into the streams or how to properly jig the salmon.
Joe’s life centered around his grandkids and then his great grandkids, Kaeleigh Winfield, Logan Winfield and the newest, Joshua (Josh) Winfield. Joe took so much pride in all of his grandkids accomplishments along with his great nephews and nieces. Joe loved his family more than anything! Grandpa Joe and Uncle Joe will live in the hearts and minds of all of us.
Joe was a lifelong member of the Cathedral of Saint Helena. He enjoyed sharing breakfast with family after Mass on Sundays, where the weekly fishing report was discussed. Joe was a member of the Elk’s and was a close follower of the Helena schools and Carroll College athletics. Joe loved his sports!
Joe was preceded in death by his father, Joseph H. Winfield, Mother Katherine P. Winfield and Wife Ella Mae Winfield.
Joe is survived by brother’s, Harrold (Fuzz) Winfield and Don Winfield, sister, Lois Phernetton, son, Robert (Bob) Winfield, daughter in law Linda Winfield, grandkids, Joe, Erik and Jenny Winfield, great grandkids, Kaeleigh, Logan and Joshua Winfield; along with many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held 3:00 p.m. Friday, May 1, 2015 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. Interment with military honors will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. A light reception will then be held in the social center of the funeral home. Please visit below to offer her family a condolence or to share a memory of Joe.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
3:00 p.m.
Friday May 1, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Immediately following the memorial service
Friday May 1, 2015
Resurrection Cemetery
3700 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Reception
Immediately following the burial
Friday May 1, 2015
Social Center of the funeral home
,
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
3:00 p.m.
Friday May 1, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Immediately following the memorial service
Friday May 1, 2015
Resurrection Cemetery
3700 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Reception
Immediately following the burial
Friday May 1, 2015
Social Center of the funeral home
,
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Kathleen Schmidt says
Joe was a great uncle. He was always very warm and welcoming, enjoying any get together with family and friends. Truly loved the outdoors and always had a smile on his face. He loved his dogs and always seemed to have one around. He will be greatly missed by us all.
Tom and Judy Rolfe says
Bob, Linda and the Winfield family,
We are so sorry to learn of Joe’s passing. He was truly a very kind gentleman who we always enjoyed visiting with. He always had a wonderful smile and a kind word, he will surely be missed by all of you. Please know we are thinking of you at this most difficult time.
Todd Cockrell says
We will miss you Uncle Joe. You lived your life to the fullest. Your family cherished you greatly.
Tom Cockrell says
I cannot think of Uncle Joe without smiling, and I think that is the true testament to the man. I saw him mad one time – and I think I would be mad too, if there were a half-dozen teenaged nieces and nephews playing hide and seek in my house at 2am on a weeknight during summer vacation. I am part of a collection of cousins which, during our formative years was more “herd,” than “human.” Joe, periodically, had the unenviable task of having to corral us – easier said than done. But, he is a big part of my family history, and speaking for the rest of the herd – Thanks Uncle Joe.
Kitty Lou Steen Rusher says
Joe so embraced Hinsdale! Even after Ella Mae died, he would come for the Dartman and the HHS All-School Reunions. Will certainly be missed by many. Godspeed to Ella Mae.
Tom Naegele says
Bobby, Linda & Family,
So saddened to read of Joe’s passing. Joe Winfield, a Fine and Gentleman that was one of the ” Greatest Generation “. Ella Mae & Joe were mentors in my life and I have been Blessed and I Thank them. I will enjoy the day that I will get to see them again. Prayers of Sympathy and Support are being said for you all.
Kay Hickman says
So sorry to hear of Joe’s death; I worked with him at the old Department of Public Welfare from 1959 to 1994. He and Ella Mae were a great couple. Sympathy to all his family.
He was always happy and I was always glad to visit with him. Kay Hickman