Justin Michael "Dusty" Winter, age 40

February 25, 1984 - December 16, 2024

To the great sorrow of almost everyone who knew him, Justin 'Dusty' Winter passed beyond the veil of this life under accidental circumstances on 16 December, 2024. His choice of cremation is being honored. He wisely divined the distribution of his ashen remains will reenter the cycle of life, and in this sense, he has not truly vanished beyond our physical reach. It is said an air molecule breathed Caesar finds its way into our own lungs approximately every 12 minutes. In the realm of memory, he will live vividly until many of us ourselves follow his path.

Dusty was a blessed man. Talent and intelligence complemented each other, manifesting as a highly sought after tattoo artist, a unique and fiscally successful artist of many mediums; he traveled nationwide, being commissioned to paint original mural art on the walls of those capable of the indulgence. He embellished food trucks with incredible vistas and culinary enticements. A life, a living, inherently built into the boy and man he became.

If life begins as a blank canvass, with our actions to fill the blankness of a newborn, Dusty grabbed every color life offers to render a portrait that left those meeting and knowing him in awe and admiration. Never content to the life of a drone worker, he was a Sous Chef at one of New Orleans premier restaurants, a master of building construction, a guitar player of such skill and presence, were he capable of 'the same old thing', his name would be in the annals of famous rock guitarists. He traveled the country, departing

St. Louis with $10 and a half tank of gas. California, NYC and divers places in betwixt who no doubt display the purchased sketches of customers loved ones to this very day. He traveled for three months; this is but one example of how remarkable a human being Dusty embraced life.

At one point, Dusty walked in the steps of Alexander Supertramp, the real life person the movie 'Into The Wild' was based upon. He even spent a summer working for Wayne, the real Wayne Westerburg of North Dakota, doing the same job as Christopher McCandless himself.

Dusty is survived by his father, Michael Winter and Linda Baer, of Olney, his mother, Gina Moran, of Fredericksburg, MO. Locally, his aunt and Uncle Vickie and Terry Sanders, his step-sister and brother in law, Julia and Brian North and nephew Xander North. Out of town, his grandmother, Victoria Rodriguez, of Ironton, MO. His uncle, Bill Summerfield, as well as his niece Teagan Summerfield. Also, his life long friend Matt Potter, who loved him as a brother. Lastly, he lives on in the memories of thousands of lives he touched on his way through this event we call life.

A memorial celebrating the rare and wonderful life Dusty experienced will be held on Jan. 11th, 2025 beginning at four o'clock PM. Meyer Funeral Home, 945 Rt. 130 in Olney, IL who will be host to the reception. A big screen photo montage will be on display to bring him back to life for us, and to carry on with favored images for later recollection. Drinks will be provided, however, no alcohol will be served.

Dusty died sober, a battle he won. He will be there with us; we hope you are as well.

Any and all may call his father at 618.879.5154 with questions as needed.