Valas W. Winters

Valas W. Winters, of Alliance, age 95, passed away peacefully on January 17, 2026. He was born on May 6, 1930, in Fremont, Ohio, to Valas and Marvilla (Morton) Winters.

Valas graduated from Sebring High School in 1949. Prior to his military service, he worked at Damon Chemical, and then went to North Benton Feed Mill. Valas returned to Damon Chemical and oversaw the growth of the company throughout the years. After retiring, he served as a Smith Township Trustee for 12 years.

He served honorably in the United States Army as a chef staff sergeant at Fort Gordon in Augusta, GA. Valas was a member of the Alliance American Legion and North Benton Presbyterian Church. He was active in the church and served as Elder, Deacon, trustee, Sunday school superintendent and sang bass in the choir. A gospel quartet called ‘The Changing Tides’ was formed with friends and they traveled to many churches to sing for many years. He was also a member of Sebring Masonic Lodge 32 degree, the Alliance Shriners and the Scottish Rite. Valas was a past president of both the Alliance Industrial Management Club and the Alliance Traffic Club. Val was lifetime charter member of the Beloit Ruritan Club.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 70 years, Emily (Perdue) Winters, whom he married in Harlem, Georgia on June 17, 1955; his daughters, Bonnie (Barry) Benedict, Debbie (Doug) Shields, Marvilla (Ted) Miller, and Marian (Todd) Gainor; ten grandchildren, Alisha (Eric) Meyer, Barri Jo (Craig) Vavrock, Dana (Justin) Burton, Brittany (Aaron) Owens, Chad (Constance) Shields, Ben (Stacy) Miller, Cael (Chelsy) Benedict, Cara Gainor (Talen Smith), Wesley Miller, and Nicholas Gainor; 19 great-grandchildren; brother, Eugene (Joyce) Winters; many beloved nieces and nephews; close friends, Bill and Judy Clair; and childhood friend, Lee VanCamp.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, June Lacher, Jane Miller, and Virginia Gaines; brother, Gail Winters; and an Aunt, Arrnette Simpson.

A visitation will be held at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home on Thursday, January 22nd from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Friday, January 23rd at 12:00 p.m. Interment will be at Highland Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, PO Box 947765

Atlanta, GA 30394 or North Benton Presbyterian Church, 19070 N Benton Rd W, North Benton, OH 44449.