Crist Winterstein

Crist Louis Winterstein left this world on April 9, 2021 after a short battle with cancer. Crist was born July 16, 1935 to Crist and Margaret Winterstein. As a child he grew up working the family farm with his sisters: Janette (Ted) Poole; Mary Jane (Dave) Orr; and Betty (Jim) Colwell. Crist got a nickel a quart for picking strawberries, and he could pick strawberries faster than anyone. Crist was a graduate of James A Garfield High School in Garrettsville, Ohio and remained friends with many of his classmates; especially, Jack Savage, his friend of 79 years.

After high school Crist joined the Navy and served aboard the USS John Hancock as a Boiler Tender rising to the rank of First Class Petty Officer. When he left the Navy, Crist worked for Ohio Edison and Ford Motor Company as a 2nd Class Stationary Steam Engineer. Crist worked at Ford for 38 years before retiring in 1996. While at Ohio Edison, Crist moved to Vermilion, Ohio and was introduced to Barbara Rose Naegele whom he married in 1959. Crist and Barbara had three sons: Jeffery Winterstein (Gina Weisenbarger); Scott Winterstein (Janet Flanagan); and Mark Winterstein. Crist had seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Crist remained married to Barbara until her death in 2003.

Crist then shared his life, for six good years with Lela Nagy until her passing in 2009. Crist then married Barbara Brannan in 2012. Crist and Barbara would winter in Bonita Springs Florida and spend their summers in Vermilion, Ohio. Crist enjoyed the warm winters in Florida, and especially enjoyed fishing the flats, mangroves, and gulf of Southwestern Florida. When Crist and Barbara weren’t going to auctions, garage sales, or shopping thrift stores they would volunteer their time as servers in the local food kitchen.

Crist’s deepest passion were his children and grandchildren whom he taught how to lead moral and ethical lives through his own example. Crist also taught his children and grandchildren how to drive cars, motorcycles, and snowmobiles which did not always go as well as he had planned. However, it was more likely the fault of the student than the teacher. Crist shared his love of fishing and hunting with his children and grandchildren with yearly trips to Pennsylvania for spring trout fishing or yearly fishing trips to Canada for walleye. Crist was an avid hunter and there are many memories of yearly hunts for big and small game as well as hunting upland game birds and ducks. His favorite hunting was fall bow hunting in Pennsylvania, which he excelled at. He was a bow hunter before bow hunting was popular and would spend many hours practicing and tuning his bow. Crist always found time for his family and friends, and never asked for anything in return.

While not a native Vermilionite, Crist became a part of the Vermilion community through his ownership of Winterstein Realty, which he ran for 50 years after working a number of years for Berk and Associates. Crist was not only a Real Estate Broker, but he was also a licensed Appraiser. Crist helped many people achieve their dreams of owning their own homes, with many of these people becoming lifelong friends and customers. Crist worked very closely with Gene Fee of Fee Builders, building and selling many homes in the area. He also served on the Erie County Board of Realtors over 50 years. Crist gave of himself, helping many local churches, including the Vermilion United Church of Christ that he was a member of for 50 years, veterans associations, youth sports programs, and charities. He always knew the importance of giving back to the community that adopted him as their own.

Crist made many friends throughout his life, those that need to be mentioned are: Zack and Wendy Dolyk; Jim Maurer; Chris Decker; Bud Ennis; Bob and Sandy Brummer; and his dear, recently deceased, friend Ray Dellefield. While Crist’s passing has deeply saddened many people he will continue to live in the hearts and memories of the family and friends who loved him. If one thing could be said about Crist, it would be that he lived a full, rich life.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 from 4 pm until the time of the service at 6:00 pm at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion, Ohio. Friends and family who want to come are welcome to attend, but due to Covid-19, we are asking that people be careful to maintain social distancing, wear masks, and refrain from embracing. Private inurnment will take place at Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst.

The family asks that donations be made to the City Mission of Cleveland Hope Partners, 5310 Carnegie Ave., Cleveland, OH 44103, Let’s Get Real, 1939 Oberlin Ave., Lorain, OH 44052, or Ritter Public Library Foundation, 5680 Liberty Avenue, Vermilion, OH 44089.

Online condolences may be made at www. riddlefuneralhome.com.