Kent Winchester

Donald Kent Winchester of Decatur, IL passed away January 25, 2022 due to complications from Covid. Kent was born February 6, 1957 to Charles Lee and Donna Charlene (Ballinger) Winchester. Kent was the oldest of three, with one brother and one sister. Kent graduated from Messiah Christian School and Hyles Anderson College in Illinois with a major in theology. As an adult he was a school teacher, and then an employee of the Decatur Park District for many years in maintenance. Kent was immersed in theology, music, and travel, always ready for the next adventure. He was an avid musician who taught music at his church, Central Baptist of Decatur. He had an affinity for many instruments including the coronet, trombone, saxophone, keyboard, and french horn. He was also an extensive traveler. His foreign travels included Ireland, Argentina, Africa, and Mexico. Kent also enjoyed skiing trips to Wisconsin, Minnesota, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, as well as the east coast. Other outdoor interests included canoe trips with his nephews and brother to the boundary waters of Minnesota and Canada as well as trips to Alaska with his nephews and friends. Kent was a firearms enthusiast and collector. He enjoyed shooting sports with many friends.Kent's faith was paramount in his life. He was very involved in his home church, his second family, Central Baptist Church. He was a kind, generous man. He unashamedly marched to the beat of his own drum, truly one of a kind. His friends and family loved him and will miss him dearly.Kent is survived by his brother Gregg Winchester and sister Susan (Jerry) Potts, both of Decatur, his nieces and nephews, Daniel (Christie) Winchester of West Lafayette, Indiana, Darren (Amy) Winchester of Decatur, Jessica (Aaron) Laskowski of Decatur, and Jared (Jamie) Potts of St Joseph, as well as several great nieces and nephews. Kent was preceded in death by his parents, and his nephew Derek Winchester.Safe passage on your final adventure into Glory. We will see you on the other side.A Celebration of Kent's life will be held at the Shilling Education Center at Scovill Park, 71 South Country Club Road, Decatur IL. Saturday, February 19, 2022 from 2 - 4pm. His Pastor Dave Brown will officiate. Memorial donations may be made to the Scovill Zoo.