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LEAVITTSBURG -- Gloria Jean Winyard, better known as "Jean," went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026.
She was born July 21, 1940, the daughter of William and Alice Heakin.
She was a graduate of Leavittsburg High School.
She married her high school sweetheart, Rod Winyard, on July 3, 1959, and they were blessed with 66 years of marriage. They were not only husband and wife, they were best friends. Jean embraced life as a wife, homemaker and mother to their two adopted daughters. She was also available to travel with her husband on many of the business trips he made during his 30 years at AMWELD Building Products.
In 1964 she, along with her husband, made a decision to put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. She was eager to know the Word of God and as time went on, became active in many ministries of the church. She loved teaching young children through Sunday School, Junior Church, AWANA and Vacation Bible School. She also loved singing in the choir. She found great pleasure in being the pastor's wife at First Community Church for 18 years.
After her husband's retirement as pastor, they remained active in the church until her illness kept her from doing so.
In 1997, she and her husband became involved with the "Children of Chernobyl" program. They were able to host a young girl from Belarus. Nadya was 7 years old and spent the next eight summers with them. She brought much joy into their lives and they came to love her like a granddaughter. One year they had the opportunity to visit her and her family in their homeland of Belarus. Through social media, they have had the opportunity to keep in close contact with her over the years.
Jean is survived by her loving husband, Rod; and daughter, Tracy. She also leaves six grandchildren, Drew Kahl, Elise Kahl, Sean Kahl, Brittani Urbinati, Kevin Winyard, Corinne McKay, and Nadya, who is like a granddaughter. Also surviving are three sisters, Barbara Cope, Mary Ellen (Larry) Sanderson and Janet (John) Troyer; and one brother, Roger Heakin; and many nieces and nephews
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Kelly Kahl, and a brother, Ed Gozzard.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, at the First Community Church of Leavittsburg, with Pastor John Jaros officiating.
Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, and again one hour prior to the service Wednesday, at the First Community Church of Leavittsburg.
Instead of flowers, Jean would like any donations to be given to the "Mission Fund" at the First Community Church of Leavittsburg, Box 361, 4640 W. Market St., Leavittsburg, OH 44430 or to the Leavittsburg Heritage Museum, Box 152, Leavittsburg OH 44430.
(special notice)