John J. Winchester Obituary

John J. Winchester, 78, passed away peacefully.

John was a resident of South Philadelphia PA, all his life until moving to Wilmington, Delaware in 2014. He loved hunting deer in the woods of Pennsylvania and tuna fishing in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. He graduated from Bishop Neuman H.S. in 1964. When he was 19 years old, he joined the 28th Inf. Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard. John was assigned to Co. B 103rd Combat Engineer Battalion where he rose through the ranks from Private to First Sergeant. He spent 24 years with the National Guard. He was an accomplished demolitions specialist, platoon sergeant and First Sergeant. His unit was activated for flood duty in Chester, PA in September 1971, and for Hurricane Agnes in June 1972. John was an active member in the American Legion Post 315 and served as post adjutant and finance officer. He was also Paymaster for the Artillery Corps Washington Grays and was an active member in the Veterans Corp 1st Regiment Infantry N.G.P. and 28th Infantry Division Association. In civilian life, John was an electrical designer and was last employed by AKF Engineers in Philadelphia, PA. He is survived by his brother, Joseph Winchester, two nieces, Wendy Bonner and Robin Winchester, and great nephews, Robert Bonner, Jason Bonner, and Gabriel Lauer.

John requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the U.S.O. or the American Cancer Society.

A visitation will be held at 9:00 am on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Chandler Funeral Home in Wilmington, DE. A service will begin at 10:00 am. Interment will follow at Westminster Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, PA. To offer online condolences, please visit www.chandlerfuneralhome.com.