(Nov. 18, 2008)
Winnie Anna (Heimer McCalmon) Kindler, lifelong Powell resident, died Tuesday morning Nov. 18 at Powell Valley Hospital. She was 95.
She was born Dec. 27, 1912, the daughter of Alva Henry Herboldsheimer and Leah Mae (Johnson) Herboldsheimer. While growing up in Powell with her seven brothers and sisters, she attended Powell schools through the eighth grade.
On June 23, 1932, Winnie married Paul Marvin McCalmon. Some of Winnie’s earlier jobs included time spent working in a local laundry, grocery store and dry cleaners. Winnie and Paul then went into business for themselves, owning and operating businesses which included the Coffee Cup Café and the Dutch Mill. They built their home on Road 9 south of Powell 63 years ago, and Winnie lived there for the rest of her life. They raised chickens, turkeys and Black Angus cattle. In 1949, adjacent to their home, they built and operated Paul’s Drive-In Theater which was the first drive-in theater in the state of Wyoming.
Winnie and Paul loved to travel, and in time had visited all lower 48 states, Canada and Mexico. They spent many years wintering in Overton, Nev. and fishing on Lake Mead.
After Paul’s death in February of 1977, Winnie continued traveling and going south for the winters, joined by her oldest sister, Ada Jinks – who was the first baby born in Powell.
On Nov. 10, 1981, Winnie was married a second time to Clark Kindler. With Clark, Winnie continued to live in Powell and still traveled for many years. Clark died October 21, 2003.
Winnie enjoyed a happy, full life, doing the things she loved, which included traveling, painting, sewing, and doing crafts. She most loved to play cards and enjoy a bowl of vanilla ice cream with family and friends.
Surviving relatives include her daughter, Donna Joan Adamson and son-in-law Mike L. Adamson of Powell; one stepson, Virgil McCalmon in Texas; two step-daughters, Thelma Lee Galac in Colorado, and Donna Brascher of Powell; brothers, Lloyd Heimer and his wife Ethel of Powell and Willard Heimer in Arizona; and sister, Elnora Robbins of Powell. She is also survived by two granddaughters, Sandy McConnell in Colorado and Teddy Starke in California; 17 step-grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Winnie was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Paul McCalmon, and second husband, Clark Kindler; brother, Dan Heimer; and sisters, Ada Jinks, Alma Bunn and Mae Eaton; two step-daughters, Pauline McKinney and Erma Shupak, and step-son Bob Sanford.
Memorial services will be held at 11a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25 at Thompson Funeral Home with Pastor Clyde Seifert officiating. Burial of cremains will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery.
For those who wish, donations may be made to the Powell Senior Center.