Winnie Fancler

Winifred Ann “Winnie” Fancler, 89, of Tipton, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, at her home.

She was born January 3, 1932, in Pilot Grove, MO, a daughter of William and Gladys (Smith) Lammers.  In 1951 she married Elwood Gerke and together they had nine children.  On April 5, 1974, she married Joe Morris Fancler.

Winnie co-owned Gerke’s Grocery store in Pilot Grove and later worked at Artex in Boonville, Biltwell Pants Factory, Stride Rite Shoe Factory and then at Tipton High School in the cafeteria as the “Lunch Lady”.  She was a member of St. Andrew Catholic Church, the Altar Society, and the Women’s Therapy “Coffee” Group.  In her younger years she served on the Tipton Recreation Association Board and was a member of the Bowling League.  She also spent time coaching her kid’s softball and baseball teams.  Winnie enjoyed embroidering, reading, watching the St. Louis Cardinals, games and cards, and anything to do with her grandchildren, who always called her Nanny.  Winnie will be remembered for her contagious smile.

Survivors include, five children, Vivian Noble (David) of Forsythe, Lois Porter of Columbia, Ronnie Gerke (Robin) of Boonville, Dana Brant (John) of Tipton, and Rhonda Bookout (Bill) of Tipton; one stepdaughter, Vicki Goodwin (Bill) of Warrensburg; two sisters, Della Acton (Joe) of Boonville, Janet Kirby of Colorado Springs; one son-in-law, Larry Chenault and one daughter-in-law, Patty Gerke; 20 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren.

In addition to both of her parents and her husband she was preceded in death by four children, infant son Randall Gerke, Gail Chenault, Richard Gerke and Gary Gerke; one stepson, Dan Fancler; three siblings, Marybell Felten, Wilbur Lammers, Virgil Lammers and one grandson, Paul Zeller.

Prayers of the Rosary will be said at 8:00 a.m. Friday, June 25, 2021, at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Tipton, followed by visitation until service time.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday at the church with burial to follow at the St. Andrew Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Price James Library, St. Andrew School or Hospice Compassus.