Josie

Josie Boone Winterhalter - the epitome of elegance and grit - has passed surrounded by her family. She was in her 90th year of life. Born to Carlos & Lucille Boone on August 8th, 1936 in Aberdeen, Ohio, Josie was the third of four children raised on a dairy farm. Inspired by her own grandmothers, she grew up fiercely independent and at 18 enrolled in The Ohio State University. It was there Josie met Conrad Richard “Dick” Winterhalter when he asked a mutual friend to introduce him to the girl with the ‘big mouth’. Immediately taken with one another, they married just eight months later. It was also at Ohio State where Josie discovered her passion for environmental conservation – a value she practiced daily and instilled deeply in her children. Josie went on to earn her Master’s degree from the University of Dayton and built herself an outstanding career in public education. Her work included classroom instruction, district leadership, and spearheading the opening of the Bentonville Early Childhood Center to expand access to education for her community’s youngest learners. At every stage of her career, she was a fierce advocate for students and families - and for the teachers who worked alongside them. Josie’s commitment to public service extended beyond the classroom. For over 25 years, she served faithfully as a member of the Adams County Public Library Board, including a tenure as President (she was instrumental in passing their first-ever Library levy - walking door to door with her dear friend Carol White to build community support). She also volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate to give a voice to foster children, and was a long-time, active member of the Maysville Episcopal Church of the Nativity. Josie Boone Winterhalter helped cultivate a love of life for all those who had the privilege to be in her company. She was an excellent bridge player, an avid boater and water skier, an incredible hostess, a supporter of the arts, and a lover of the Ohio River. (For decades she led river outings for friends and family where you could find her driving the boat or slalom water skiing - which continued until she was 83.) She travelled the world from China to Istanbul, and enjoyed many trips with her family across the United States and abroad. Back home in Manchester, she was the neighborhood snake wrangler who shoveled her own snow - often in heels - well into her 80s. She was a dedicated hiker, a loving pet owner, and role model to those who knew her; she was funny, kind, and exceptionally smart. Josie raised her family to always stand up for what is right, to share your voice for those who could use someone in their corner, and to never be defined by others’ expectations. She believed in hard work, the power of education, and that we should all use our talents – whatever they may be - to make an impact where we can. Throughout her life, Josie stood up for literacy, education, and for southern Ohio. She never hesitated to help, and she always focused on practical solutions to real problems. Despite her many accomplishments and community contributions, her greatest sources of pride and joy were her children – Rick & Lisa. Josie’s legacy lives on in her son, Rick (Mary Ellen) Winterhalter of Oregon City, Oregon; her daughter, Lisa Winterhalter (Gavin Fielden) of West Linn, Oregon, and her granddaughter, Danielle Winterhalter of San Francisco, California. And also in her sister Pat (John) Sweet of Columbus, Ohio and brother Ray (Patricia) Boone of Manchester, Ohio, along with a host of nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents, her husband, Dick, her sister-in-law, Sue Camp, her sister, Naomi Oetzel and her brother-in-law Charles Oetzel. A celebration of life is being planned for August 8th in Ohio. Arrangements will be shared through Hillside Chapel in Oregon City: https://www.hillsidechapelfh.com/ In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Arc of Appalachia or the Manchester Public Library.

Josie

August 8, 1936 - January 14, 2026