David Winnett

CHARLESTON – David B. Winnett, 96, of Mattoon, went to be with Jesus, Sunday, September 20, 2026 at Arbor Rose of Charleston.

The funeral service honoring his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 25, 2026 at Salisbury Church in Hutton, with Pastor Michael Stewart officiating. Entombment with military rites will follow in Beavers Cemetery, in Hutton Township. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday, September 24, 2026 at the Harper-Swickard Funeral Home, Charleston.

David was born August 22, 1930 in Charleston, son of Alice (Day) and Berlin G. Winnett. He married Vera N. Elston on March 17, 1954 at the Whetstone Baptist Church. This was a strong and loving union for 67years. She preceded him into Heaven, September 25, 2021. Surviving are four children: Connie E. Matheny of Mattoon, John David Winnett and wife Sherry of Mattoon, Kathy J. Wilson of rural Charleston, and Cindy M. Miller and husband Brian of Westfield. Seven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren are due soon, and two brothers: Roy Winnett and wife Karen of Peoria, IL, and Ray Winnett and wife Diane of rural Charleston. He was preceded in death by three sisters: Joyce Thompson, Pandora Winnett, and Carolyn Walston; four brothers: Frank Winnett, Clifford Winnett, Jim Winnett, and Joe Kent Winnett; and a son-in-law: Mark Wilson.

David was active in 4H, FFA at CHS, and graduated from EIU with a BA and Master’s Degree in Education Administration. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years. David was a Command Pilot with SAC, a Fighter Pilot, and a forward Air Controller in Vietnam. He flew as an Embassy Pilot for senior officers and dignitaries (Ambassador Lodge, Ambassador Harriman, two sitting Presidents, and President Harry S. Truman’s daughter, Margaret). He was a personal pilot for General William Westmoreland, who after David’s retirement, came to the Coles County Courthouse to present him with the citations he had earned.

He earned the following Medals and Citations: AFLSA, with four Oak Leave clusters, AFOVA, with ten Oak Leave Clusters, AMROVA, with fifteen Oak Leave clusters, and AFOM3. David completed two tours of duty in Vietnam with 659 combat hours and 424 sorties.

While living in Rapid City, SD, from 1968 to 1974, he owned and operated Speed Specialties. David was a pro licensed race driver in the NHRA. He retired from racing in 1977.

David and Vera traveled in their motor home for thirty years. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, and hunting in Mexico, Canada, and Alaska. David fished in the great Keni River for Salmon. They wintered in Lakeport, FL, where they were members of the Maple Grove Baptist Church. David’s faith, concern, love for his church family, loyalty to his family, helped keep them close. He believed in a Godly heritage – Heaven and eternity. If you love others first, they can love you.

Christ loved us first.