Obituary of Winifred Helen Lincoln

Winifred Helen Craig was born on November 8, 1932 in Carbon, Indiana. She was one of three children born from the union of the late William P. Craig and the late Iva (Mahurin) Craig. At a young woman, Winifred enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. She served her country and fellow corps as an entertainer. Winifred was honorably discharged on April 1, 1952. For several years, she continued entertaining by running her own TV/Radio show. Although Winifred was small in stature, she was a remarkably strong woman. In 1970, she became the first female builder in the state of Florida. She would work in this capacity as a contractor until her retirement in 1996. Upon her retirement she moved back to the Midwest making her home in Michigan in order to be closer with her grandchildren. Spending time with her family meant the most to Winifred. She would often host holiday gatherings at her home and prepare meals for her family to share. Christmas was her favorite holiday and many memories were made singing holiday songs. Winifred was the Matriarch of the family. She was proud of her family and her own accomplishments, and to not miss a single experience or memory she painstakingly cataloged them in a detailed diary. When she had free time she even wrote and printed music. Winifred “Toni” Helen Lincoln, age 86 of Dundee, passed away at 2:32pm on Friday, March 1, 2019 at her home in Dundee. She had been under the care of Great Lakes Caring Hospice. Her passing was preceded by her parents. To cherish her memory, she leaves her daughter: Terry Opper of Pennsylvania; two brothers: William D. (Janice) Craig of Indiana and Thomas (Stella) Craig of Florida; two grandchildren: Deana Gormley of Monroe and PJ (Jennifer) Opper of Florida; five great grandchildren: Leland (Destiny) VanWinkle, Chris (Nicole) VanWinkle, Treanna Gormley, Austin Opper and Elizabeth Opper; four great-great grandchildren: Lily, Jayden, Dominic and Marlee. No public services have been planned. Winifred has chosen to give the gift of knowledge to others by bequesting herself to the University of Michigan Anatomical Donation Program. Arrangements have been entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, Dundee, 297 Tecumseh Street, Dundee, Michigan 48131 (734) 529-3156. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.