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Saturday, November 19, 2005

Jackie Lee Wingert 

We met Jack Wingert through his son, Phil when we were at Ball State University in the 80s. We really came to know Jack more as a friend around the untimely death of Phil in 1999. It is hard to overstate what a fantastic person Jack was. If you needed him, he was there with a smile and never a gripe.

From the Indy Star, Nov. 15, 2005:
"Jackie "Jack" Lee Wingert An unfortunate accident took Jack's life on Thursday, November 10, 2005. Jack was born in Indianapolis on November 24, 1935 to Elsie (Jenner) and Marley (Gus) Wingert. He is survived by his son, Scott Wingert; a brother, Dale of Venice, FL; and a sister, Pat Agnew (Marion) of Mooresville, IN. Jack graduated from Washington High School in 1954. He worked at Allison for several years. He served in the Army from 1958 to 1960 and spent the majority of that time in Goosebay, Labrador. Jack then attended Purdue University where he took courses in Mechanical Engineering. He became a sales representative for companies manufacturing machine tools. He served as Sales Manager of the K.O. Lee Company of Aberdeen, South Dakota. Jack married Shirley (Gobreckt) Starbuck and they had two sons, Philip (deceased 1998) and Scott. In 1991, Jack married Pat Lawler with whom he shared a passion for travel. Jack was an incredibly generous person and was always first to lend a hand when someone needed help. He enjoyed making people laugh and to feel good about themselves. He loved to play jokes and won several first place prizes for his Halloween costumes at his work place. Jack also loved the great outdoors, spending his time fishing, hiking, and hunting. Another of Jack's favorite activities was following auto racing. Jack was, in fact, a "Jack of All Trades". He was a skilled carpenter and builder. He loved to tinker with cars. He was a talented photographer and had a photo published in Sport Illustrated after capturing on film, Rick Mears' spectacular crash at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway track. Jack's life will be celebrated Wednesday, November 16, 2005, at 7 p.m., following visitation with family from 5 to 7 p.m. in Conkle Funeral Home, Speedway Chapel, 4925 W. 16th Street, Indianapolis. In lieu of flowers, you can make contributions to any worthwhile cause. Jack will be sadly missed by countless friends and family members including Karen and Bruce Pell."

This was a shock. The way he went. We saw him just a few weeks earlier. The memorial service was one of the best I have ever been too, and I'm a licensed funeral director. A true celebration of Jack's life. I mean when see 70 year old men get up and talk about the good times they had when they were kids and later cruising around Indianapolis in the early 50s. Awe shucks, we'll miss your smile, Jack.

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