Sgt Major Earl Wineberger (U.S. Army Ret.), age 59 of 432 Wineberger Rd., Hartwell, Ga., died January 31, 2007 at VA Hospital, Augusta, Ga.

Born September 20, 1947 in Charlotte, N.C. he was the son of the late Earl Wineberger. He was retired from the U.S. Army, was a Vietnam War Veteran, serving in the 1st Calvary where he received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America and the NRA. He was a member of the Reed Creek Baptist Church where he was a former youth leader.

He is survived by: his mother: Frances Ray Wineberger, Tampa FL; his wife: Tonnie Ritter Wineberger of the home; brother: David Wineberger and his wife Sissy, Tampa FL; sisters: Gloria Haddock and her husband Jimmy, Tampa FL., Gale Whitehead and husband Reggie, Tampa FL, Teresa Riggs and husband Buster, Clewiston FL., and Anna Tidwell, Marietta GA; nephews: TSgt Michael Mauldin (USAF), E4 James C. Strange (USN), Jon Lorentson and Daniel Lorentson; nieces: Julia and Joylynn Strange and Nikki Lorentson. A number of nieces and nephews in Florida and several great nieces and nephews also survive.He is also survived by his special friend, Vietnam Veteran Capt. Larry Ross (US Army Ret.) of Columbia, S.C.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, February 4, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. at the Reed Creek Baptist Church. Rev. Sam Dulaney and Rev. Terry Meeks will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with full military honors.The body will be placed in the church at 2:30 p.m.

The body is at the Strickland Funeral Home ~ Hartwell Chapel, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday evening. The family will be at the home. Memorials can be made to the Reed Creek Baptist Church, 130 Boleman Hill Rd., Hartwell, Ga. 30643, Paralyzed Veterans of America 801 Eighteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20006-3517 or DAV Memorial Program P.O. Box 14301 Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.