David Gerald Winans was born on May 9, 1943, in Lansing, Michigan. A high school swimmer at J.W. Sexton High School, he met his wife, Valerie Kirkconnell, there; they married in 1963 and were together for nearly 62 years. Dave served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1961 to 1965 and worked for the State of Michigan from 1970 until his retirement in 1995.
Fire service was a lifelong passion for Dave, beginning in 1967 with the Lansing Township Fire Department. He earned a degree in Fire Science and served in various roles including First Responder, Fire Education Director, and Fire Chief. He received multiple awards for his service, including honors from the American Red Cross Community of Heroes Award, Leland Gayheart Burn Prevention Program from the University of Michigan Trauma Burn Center, and the State of Michigan Leadership Award in 1986.
An avid outdoorsman, Dave's love for nature began in the Boy Scouts and lasted throughout his life. He built a cottage in the woods on the Sable River and then sold it for a true wilderness and off the grid camp near Marquette, Michigan.
Dave Winans has many good friends. Friends that are tried and true, but his best friend was Gary Roth. They had more than 60 years of hunting, fishing, raising daughters and getting snowed in together.
After retirement, David and Valerie accepted positions as campground hosts in Denali National Park and Preserve. Their two seasons of employment and travel throughout the State of Alaska was an experience of a lifetime.
Governor Edwin B. Winans (1891-1892) owned a redwood walking stick with a gold nugget in the top. Dave Winans donated the stick to the capitol building in Lansing so that others will see the artifact and learn something about the history of Michigan and a great leader from the 19th century.
Surviving is his wife Val and their five daughters: Lisa (Randy) Plamondon, Wendy (Kevin) McBride, Natalie (Dan) King, Kym (Luke) Reynolds, and Marcia Winans. Also surviving is his mother-in-law, Marjorie Corden and 19 grandchildren, Brandon Plamondon (Kristen), Sarah Hobart, Benjamin Fasel, Bryan Plamondon (Samantha), Samuel Plamondon (Katherine), Olivia McBride (Nate Ellis), Jack McBride, John King (Alexandra), Courtney King, Sierra King (Austin Kuch), Kevin Winans, Alex Reynolds (Emily), Austin Reynolds, Jacob Reynolds, Joseph Reynolds, Katie Rose Reynolds, Christopher Winans, Ivy Wheeler, Quinn Winans, and adopted by love Myra McFarland. The greats and great greats are too numerous to list – they know who they are. He is also survived by a niece, Kelly Watson, and nephew, Dan Winans.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Patricia Quinn Winans, Gerald N. Winans and his brother, Douglas Winans.
Visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, June 30, 2025 at 4 pm at Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home. A time of sharing will begin at 5:30 pm along with the praying of the rosary.
A memorial mass will take place on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at 11 am with visitation beginning one hour prior at Christ the King. A luncheon at Christ the King will be followed by interment at Oakwood Cemetery.
Donations to Dave's favorite charity, St. Jude's Hospital, are encouraged in lieu of flowers.