Carlton B. Winchenbach, 93, passed away peacefully November 2 at his home in Tri-Palm Estates in Thousand Palms, California.
Carlton was born April 27, 1930, in Waldoboro, Maine. He was the youngest of thirteen children to Chester A. and Carrie E. Cushman Winchenbach. He was predeceased by his siblings: Millard, Harold, Floyd, Grace, Warren, Christine, Robert, Frances, Priscilla, Addison, Gideon, and Russell; his first wife Virginia L. Gentry; and his grandson Kyle Gustafson.
Carlton is survived by his wife, Susan Sander; his daughter, Rita Gustafson; his granddaughter Kristen Crowder; and five great-grandchildren: Karlyn, Kaitlyn, Kayla, Joseph and Owen.
At 17, Carlton joined the U.S. Navy where he remained as a Gunner’s Mate until his retirement in 1969. His service years included tours of Korea and Vietnam. The navy brought Carlton to San Diego which he called home until recently moving to Thousand Palms to be closer to his daughter.
Carlton will be remembered as a patient, soft-spoken and gentle man. People of all generations found him easy to chat with and he was known as Grandpa Carl to everyone. He would gladly help anyone in any way he could. It was his great sense of humor that made him so endearing. When asked where he was from, he replied, “The Maine part of Texas!”
Services for Carlton will be graveside with military honors at Fairview Cemetery in Gainesville, Texas on Monday, 11/20 at 2 pm. Viewing will be at the George Carroll Funeral Home from 12-1 pm on that day.
