George was one of Indiana's best known and best loved citizens and he died as he lived---quiet, peaceful and unafraid. The community in which he lived has lost a great preacher, a great orator, a great influence for good and certainly a very great friend. Those who knew him best would probably add --a great whistler. George Winfrey had no enemies--knew no strangers and was tolerant in all his thinking. George was born in Bosworth, Missouri, May 25th 1876 to Richard Winfrey and Armedia Humphries Winfrey. His father was a section hand on the Wabash Railroad and they lived not far from the Missouri River. Little George began to study and preach when he was just past 12 years of age and his first full time--full length sermon was given at the age of 14 years in a small schoolhouse somewhere along the Missouri River. And one of the first members of his conregation was the mother of Jessie and Frank James (The James Boys--notorious outlaws). George's stories of the famous Missouri outlaws were similar to those in fiction--but much richer in detail. Frank James visited the Winfrey home after he had served time in prison for his wrong doings. Before he was 21, George was graduated from the William Jewell College in Columbia, Missouri. It was here that the rising young preacher was first recognized as an outstanding debator and an excellent Biblical historian. Newspaper clippings mention his working as a janitor at the school in order to earn his tuition and referred to him as "Ragged George," a story he loved to tell, over and over again. At the age of 21 he was stricken with tuberculosis and had to leave for the higher altitudes and dryer climate of Colorado, where for two years he lived alone high above the timber line--herding sheep and studying his Bible--the result of such study was soon to bring him a small measure of reknown and certainly a large number of friends. About 50 years ago George W. Winfrey was called to his first regular preaching assignment at Shelbeyville, Indiana. It was there he met and married Miss Mae Manning Goulding. During this time he studied at Butler University and was awarded their "Certificate of Outstanding Merit" for his excellent penmanship. From Shelbeyville the Winfreys came to Anderson for a short while-then to Summitville for another short stay--then in about 1912 they came to Alexandria, Indiana where George filled the pulpit at the First Christian Church for about 40 years with a short time out for some work i Windfall, Indiana. It is believed that Rev. Winfrey has married over 6,000 couples and preached 5,000 funeral services during his many years of service besides helping many sich and needy. He assisted in building three churches and was the author many newspaper and magazine articles on different subjects, and a poet of some renown. A listing of his many friends would show people in many walks of life--from every race, creed, and color. George was a member of the Murat Shrine (32 degree Mason) and state historian for the Masonic Lodge. Yes Parson George, the Will Rogers of Indiana or the Old Missourian will be missed--the whistle is gone with it went a great and good friend to everyone.

The above tribue was written at Dahl Stricler, local funeral director and close friend of the Rev. George Washington Winfrey.