Winifred Meinert

Winifred Berniece Meinert, age 93, passed away peacefully on Sunday Feb 26, 2017 at White Oaks Assistant Living in Lawton, MI. Winifred was born on Oct 9, 1923 in Kalamazoo, MI to the late Bernice Estelle (Ashe) Barnes and the late Robert Lincoln Barnes. Winnie had several passions in her life. From age 12, at the Silver Lake Roller Rink in Kalamazoo, she fell in love with figure roller skating. Through her adolescent years she grew to become an expert figure roller skater. After graduating from Kalamazoo Central in 1942 her skating partner, Freddie Walker, took their show to the professional level where they performed at USO's and different nightclubs across the country. One of the more famous nightclubs they performed at was the 5100 Club in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood where Danny Thomas was the MC of the club the night before his career took off in California. Freddie and Winnie were married soon after in Waco, TX in 1942. Freddie died in 1945 while doing his job as a Weather Reconnaissance in WWII for the Army Air Force. That spring Winnie gave birth to their son, the late Frederick Arthur Walker the Second on April 26, 1945. Nine years later, Winnie married the late Richard Dale Meinert in Kalamazoo, MI. During their 48 years of marriage Winnie and Dick had four children of their own. They did almost everything together and relied on each other. They enjoyed a lifetime of travel, boating on the Great Lakes, being parents, and grand parents. A favorite trip of their's was a boating trip from Saugatuck, MI to Mackinac Island and continued on to Mildren Bay in Canada. As a result of their passion for boating, they joined the United States Sail and Squadron (a national organization that promotes safe boating through education) became Life Members of the Kalamazoo and Phoenix Sail and Power Squadron. During the boating off-season Winnie enjoyed bowling as a hobby, and was in a league at the Pla Mor Bowling Alley in Kalamazoo. Winnie also enjoyed watching baseball; she always wanted to know what the Tigers' score was during games. She also like the Phoenix Suns basketball team. Winnie loved all of her children. She was always helping them with their projects, and anything they needed. She was loving, kind, and giving. While at home during the days Winnie enjoyed watching the daily soap operas and exercising to Jack Lalain on TV. Winnie and Dick lived all over the country through their 48 years of marriage. They retired to Phoenix, AZ, Venice, FL, and then back to Kalamazoo, MI. Winnie's mind and heart will always be forever young. She valued adventure, and independence in life. Preceding her in death along with her parents, husbands, and son were cousins James Barnes, Naomi Hunt, and Genice Born. Winnie is survived by four children: Richard Thomas (Gloria) Meinert, Robyn Dale Meinert (Scott) Levene, Wendy Beth (Orrin) Sharp, Pamela Ann (Dennis) Carr, and a step daughter Markie Meinert, 17 grand children, and 27 great-grand children. Friends may visit with the family from 12 p.m. - 1p.m. on Friday, March 3 at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St, Kalamazoo MI 49007. The funeral service will follow the visitation at 1 p.m. on Friday at the funeral chapel. Rev. James Dyke will officiate with internment in Riverside Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to the United States Sail and Power Squadrons Educational Fund.