Ivan Winder Sr.

Ivan Lee Winder Sr., son of Doll L. Winder and Russell L. Winder Sr. was born on June 30, 1972 in Lewis, DE. Ivan, transitioned, on Monday, June 10, 2024 at home, in Snellville, Georgia, he was 51. Ivan was the second (2nd) of four (4) children. He received his early education in the Indian River School District and graduated high school from Sussex Central High School Georgetown, DE. Ivan also studied Masonry at Sussex Vo-Tech in Georgetown, Delaware. He attended Dickinson Chapel AME Church, Millsboro, DE in his adolescent years. After graduating, he enlisted in the Military, choosing the Navy. Ivan excelled at K-9 Training and eventually became a Kennel Master, stationed in Iraq for all K-9’a in that unit. He retired with over 20 plus years of faithful service, he eventually contracted with the Military doing K-9 Detection Services, and ended his professional career working at DHL. Ivan met his wife, Mekdes Shifraw Winder, while serving oversees. They married, and went on to have one (1) beautiful child together, Javon Winder. Ivan’s keen sense of humor, smile and laugh would leave you wanting more. Ivan LOVED animals, cooking, grilling, sports and being outside, which started as a young boy. He joined the football team in his adolescence and was dubbed, Ivan The Terrible, as he would own and dominate his position as Line Backer. His major love of dogs and his ability to understand them is what shifted him to K-9 work. If you wanted to see Ivan in his happy place, training was it. To know him was to fall in love with him, and his zest for life! He was big on respect and had a work ethic like no other. He was kind, loving, passionate, creative, thoughtful, full of life, and loved his family. If you were able to be accepted into his life as a friend, you at that point, were family. Ivan was always fun, he lived every moment as if it was his last with no regrets. He was a protector, a provider, a confidant, no nonsense, and he loved working with his hands. He had a passion to learn and share the information he came across with whoever he came in contact with. He enjoyed playing spades, and sports, as a Loyal Comanders (Redskin) fan. Sitting back sipping on a cold one, and having a smoke is how you would find him during football season. Ivan was preceded in death by both of his paternal and maternal, grandmothers and grandfathers, as well as aunts and uncles. Ivan leaves behind his wife Mekdes Shifraw Winder; two (2)sons, Javon Winder of Snellville, GA and Ivan Winder Jr. of Dover, DE; one (1) daughter Kayla Winder of Townsend, DE; mother Doll Winder of Dasgboro, DE; father Russell Winder Sr. Of Delmar, DE; two (2) brothers, Russell Winder Jr. of Manchester, PA and Phillip Winder of Millsboro, DE; one (1) sister Nadia Winder of Harrisburg, PA; along with a host of sister-in-laws, nephews, nieces, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends. Ivan always said that he lived! He traveled and saw a lot, even at his young age of 51. He would say, that if he was to go, tomorrow, that he was ok with that. Not many people can say that they have experienced, traveled or enjoyed life like he did, in what we consider to be such a short amount of time. He would say, “it’s not fun, if you’re not being a little naughty”. The next second, minute, hour, week or month is not guaranteed to you. Ivan understood that. He didn’t have a church home, but he knew the Grace and Mercy that God shows and FOREVER poured over his life. He was the definition of “Riding this thing till the wheels fall off”. You will forever be Loved, Missed and Remembered! A Celebration of Life Service was held on MONDAY, June 17, 2024 at our Gwinnett Chapel, Bishop Michael Johnson officiated. Interment took place at Georgia National Cemetery, Canton, GA. Please express your condolences here on our website. Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory, 914 Scenic Hwy., Lawrenceville, GA 30045 (Gwinnett Chapel), 770.338.5558

Tributes

Ivan Winder Sr.

June 30, 1972 - June 10, 2024