Allan F. Vinton Jr. was born March 8, 1931, in Spring City, Tenn., and passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024.
Al served in the U.S. Navy before enrolling at the University of Illinois, earning a degree in agricultural science. As the son of a Presbyterian minister, Al had a lifelong faith and commitment to God.
He met his wife, Dorothy “Pud,” at McKinley Memorial Presbyterian Church, where they both sang in the choir. They were married in McKinley’s chapel on Aug. 24, 1958, with his father, Allan F. Vinton Sr., presiding, and celebrated 57 years of marriage before Pud’s passing in 2015.
After marrying, Al’s work as a Department of Defense civilian employee took them to various locations before settling in Champaign for the rest of their lives.
For years, Al rode his bike to work at Lincoln Land Moving and Storage. Upon his initial retirement, he returned to McKinley in maintenance and found yet another way to serve the Lord.
Al called himself a frustrated farmer and spent many of his hours before and after retirement helping college friends at their farm near Gibson City. This was his absolute favorite job.
Al and Pud’s values and skills were passed down to their children. This included worshiping and singing in the choir at Westminster Presbyterian Church. His “Depression-bred frugality” was legendary with his children. Al and Pud raised a houseful of avid readers with weekly trips to the library.
Al’s talent for fixing things and joy of tinkering meant there were somewhat-unusual vehicles in the household — Scouts, Saabs, British sports cars and later the sportier models of Hondas. He was a longtime member and friend of the Champaign County Sports Car Club.
He delighted in playing cribbage with his son, Paul, up to the very end of his life. His signature Uno move was to hold onto a wild card to be sure of a win, and he played with as many as four generations of family members around the table.
In one memorable game, John chastised him with, “Father …” to which he replied “Son …,” then his eldest great-granddaughter chimed in with, “… and holy spirit. Amen!”
While Al was a very quiet man, there is no doubt he loved his family and will be missed by many.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy “Pud” Rosecrans, and a daughter-in-law, Michele Vinton.
Al is survived by a sister, Doris Nitecki of Chicago; five children, Paul (Cathy) Vinton of the Villages, Fla., John Vinton of Champaign, Ann (Jim) Jumonville of Elburn, Ruth (Mike) Miller of Champaign and Jane Vinton of Champaign; eight grandchildren, Monica (Stefan) Ritz, Anna (August Muñoz) Vinton, Dean and Elena Vinton, Blaine, Connor and Lucie Jumonville, and Emily Miller; and four great-granddaughters, Kylie, Ella, Rosalie and Everlie Ritz.
Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.
In support of Al’s wishes, family will hold private graveside services at a later date.