Karl Wingruber

Waynesville, Karl Heinz Wingruber, 79, passed away on Saturday, March 5, 2022 in the comfort of his home.

Karl was a native of Germany and immigrated to the United States in 1953. His father, Karl H. Wingruber died at an early age and he was raised by his step father and mother, Markus and Maria Engelbrecht Reich. He served in the United States Marines and was employed by Champion Paper as a machine operator in the finishing room for over twenty years.

Karl was very knowledgeable about the golden age of Hollywood, he was a John Wayne fan and knew all of the movies and plots. He also learned to speak English from watching the movies. He enjoyed college and pro football and basketball and loved his dogs. Karl’s greatest joy was his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Karl is survived by a daughter, Julie Natalka Keffer (Jerry); two sons, Karl H. Wingruber and Joe E. Wingruber; two sisters, Manya Hughes (Gary) and Helga; 3 grandsons, Jacob Darovitz, Jarrod Miller, and Michael Miller (Hannah); and 5 great-grandchildren, Austin, Alayna, Addison, Autmn, and Isabella Miller.

Memorial services will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 in the Waynesville Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend Michael Miller officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Haywood Animal Welfare Association, P.O. Box 992, Waynesville, NC 28786.

The care of Mr. Wingruber has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.