Wincil Paul Baumgarner, 85

MILFORD - Wincil Paul Baumgarner of Milford died Saturday, Jan. 20, 2007, in Courtland Manor, Dover, surrounded by his loving family.

Mr. Baumgarner was born Dec. 31, 1921, in rural Cedar County, in the older district of Stockton, Mo., son of the late Lonnie T. and Mary G. (Barnes) Baumgarner.

He grew up in that community where he also attended one-room schools and was a graduate of Stockton High School.

As a young man, Mr. Baumgarner became a born-again Christian.

On March 26, 1942, he began his career in the U.S. Coast Guard by enlisting as an apprentice seaman. He served during World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. He proudly served on the U.S.S. Savage DE 386. On Feb. 6, 1963, he was appointed as senior chief engineman and on March 1, 1965, he retired because of disability after serving our country for more than 23 years.

He loved life. He enjoyed driving and traveling with his family, especially to visit his family in Missouri. He liked to fish with his brother in Missouri. He enjoyed working in his yard and was quite the handyman around the house. He liked fixing and tinkering on wristwatches and enjoyed collecting them. He enjoyed NASCAR and was a Bill Elliott fan. He also was quite the Pittsburgh fan, following both the Steelers and the Pirates. Being especially proud of his military service, he always enjoyed going to reunions of the DE 386 U.S.S. Savage group.

Mr. Baumgarner was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Blue Hen Post 6483, Milford; the American Legion Post 2, Dover; the Disabled American Veterans; the National Association for Uniformed Services (N.A.U.S.); and the Destroyer-Escort Sailors Association. He was a member of the Church of God, Milford, and the Missionary Baptist Church, Stockton.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Lola McCarthy; and three brothers, Finis Baumgarner, Earl Baumgarner and Theodore Baumgarner.

He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Jessie M. Baumgarner; three stepsons, Herbert E. Maloney Jr. of Milford, Kenneth E. Maloney and his wife, Laraine, of Greenwood and Robert E. Maloney and his wife, Tonya, of Milford; three stepdaughters, Deborah Fisher of Harrington, Kenzel Bunting and her husband, Richard of Milford and Theresa Brown and her husband, Charles of Harrington; a sister, Mildred Collins of Stockton; two sisters-in-law, Freda Baumgarner and Hazel Baumgarner of Stockton; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday in Lofland Funeral Home, 102 Lakeview Avenue, Milford where friends may call one hour earlier.

Burial with military honors will be in Milford Community Cemetery, U.S. 113, Milford.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Delaware Hospice Central Division, 911 S. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901; or Milford Church of God, 500 N. Walnut Street, Milford, DE 19963.