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Rev. Cleo L. Winningham
In Memory of
Rev. Cleo L.
Winningham
1935 - 2018
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Obituary for Rev. Cleo L. Winningham

Rev. Cleo L.  Winningham
BANGOR - On March 16, 2018, mirroring one of his favorite Bible verses, the gates of heaven opened and Cleo L. Winningham walked through them into the presence of the God he loved and served faithfully for over 60 years! God whispered, "Well done thou good and faithful servant!" His life and testimony reflected John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son. That whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." Born on January 6th, 1935, Cleo was one of five children born to Walter Cassel and Delsie Chloe Winningham. Cleo entered the Marine Corps in 1953 and became affectionately known as "Sarge". While stationed in Miami, FL, in 1955, he met the love of his life, Shirley, and the rest, they say, is history! "Sarge" became lovingly known as "Honey" on July 6th, 1957, their wedding day. Cleo found his calling and life-long passion when encountering Jesus Christ while serving in the Marines. His love for the Lord was uncompromising and apparent to anyone who met him. Upon his honorable discharge from the military, Cleo went on to Bible college and became an ordained minister. His life and ministry, spanning over 55 years, carried his family from North Carolina, to Vermont, New Hampshire, and finally to Maine. His motto was, "be ready to preach, pray, or die at any time." If you ever had the privilege to meet Pastor Cleo, you certainly never forgot him! His love for people and the ability to make them laugh turned everyone into a friend. His passion for the Lord Jesus was unmistakable and was evidenced in the way he touched many lives with sincere compassion. Anywhere Cleo went it seemed he knew someone. He also believed to "meet people where they are at." From volunteering on the town recreation committee, to serving on a Juvenile Diversion Committee; from hospitals, to homes, from jails to churches, and streets to schools, his wisdom and love was shared. There was a peacefulness about him that made people trust his word and brought comfort to many. Strict and formidable at times, Cleo loved young people! He fully believed that investing in their lives was a profoundly deep calling. He felt strongly that children needed to have a Christian education. Not only did he start a Christian School in Vermont, he was also heavily involved with numerous Christian schools while pastoring in North Carolina, New Hampshire, and Maine. He taught them to live lives of discipline, respect, responsibility, and adventure, but most of all about loving the Lord! He often said "All knowledge is good apart from the knowledge of evil!" He was proud of his faith, family, his country and his service in the Marine Corp. He loved history, and shared his knowledge on every Memorial Day, July 4th, the Marine Corp birthday, and Veteran's Day. From his bright red suit coats (fondly known as his Marine Corp jacket) to his Marine Corp hats, which he wore proudly saying, "Once a Marine, always a Marine!" He leaves includes his beloved wife of 60+ years, "Shirl", his four children and their families, and extended family and one dear sister, Anna Letner. Most importantly though is his legacy of love for Jesus Christ and his unwavering faith. For those of those left still on this earth, may we be faithful with everything he taught us!
"Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we inspire to obey"
-Steve Green
A funeral service with military honors, under the direction of Dr. Jonathan Winningham, will be held at Hermon Baptist Church, 2496 Route 2, Hermon, Maine, on Thursday, March 22, 2018, at 2 p.m. Family and friends are welcome to call from 1 p.m. to time of service on Thursday. All are welcome for a reception following the service! A private interment will be held at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Augusta, ME, at a later date. Those who wish to remember Pastor Cleo in a special way may make a gift in his memory to: The Voice of the Martyr's www.persecution.com or mailing address, 1815 SE Bison Road, Bartlesville, OK 74006. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com
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