In Loving Memory of Albert Winebrenner
1934 - 2024
On Aug. 13, 2024, Albert Francis Winebrenner went home to be with his Lord and Savior.
Al was born in the spring of 1934 to William and Ella Winebrenner of Slabtown, Maryland. His mother passed away when he was 8, and he went to live with his grandparents while his three sisters, Hazel, Thelma and Marilyn, and two brothers, Allen and Graham, lived nearby with their father. Al helped his grandparents work their small farm while attending school in Mt. Savage and then Frostburg. He enjoyed swimming in the creek, playing trombone in the marching band, and going to dances on Saturday night. He developed an interest in industrial arts while in high school, which led to a career in education and plenty of construction projects.
At the age of 17, he boarded a Greyhound bus and came to Seattle where he found work as a riveter at Boeing. He started taking classes at Seattle Pacific College, and this is where he met Edna King, whom he married in 1955.
Soon he was the father of three: Sue, Gary and Brenda. He took up the responsibilities of fatherhood while continuing work at Boeing and transferring to the University of Washington to continue his education. In the meantime, Edna and Al decided to become foster parents, ultimately caring for over 60 children.
After graduating, Al was hired by the Centralia School District as a wood shop teacher, first at the junior high and then at the high school. The family moved to Centralia and added another son, David, to their ranks.
fiIn his spare time, Al finished building a house in Centralia for his family and then built another one in Rochester. He took on whatever carpentry projects came his way and continued his education, favoring courses in geology.
After retiring from teaching, Al continued working carpentry projects from remodels to new construction.
After Edna passed in 2016, Al moved from Rochester to Centralia, spending his last few years at Sharon Care, where he enjoyed kindly harassing the staff and getting to know his neighbors.
Al loved long drives. He liked plaid shirts. He loved hiking mountain trails, walking beaches, rafting down the Yakima River, and learning about the geology of the Pacific Northwest. He enjoyed camping, carving and lending a hand. He liked singing with his barbershop friends and helping his children with their projects. He loved visiting flHawaii and floating in the ocean. He enjoyed drinking coffee at McDonald’s with friends. And he loved being with Edna.
We miss you, Big Al. Can’t wait to see you again.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7 at Newell-Hoerling’s, 205 W. Pine Street, Centralia, WA.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Two Town Tuners:
Two Town Tuners
c/o Ken Emery
262 Lake Creek Rd
Chehalis, WA 98532
