John Grable was born July 7, 1935, in Macon Missouri. John was one of four children.
Winnifred “Winnie” Mahaffey was born May 13, 1938, in Shelbyville Missouri. Winnie was one of thirteen children. John is Cherokee Indian and worked for John Deere and worked in a
concrete factory. He also worked in maintenance. Winnie is German and worked for Marley
Manufacturing for many years. She also worked in a concrete factory and maintenance.
Winnie loved basketball, wrestling, and climbing the water tower in Shelbyville. John and
Winnie married June 15, 1957, when John was 21 and Winnie was 19. Together they had three children, Clara Grable, Michael Grable, Randal Grable. Seven grandchildren Brandy, KK, Heather, Amy, Marlena, Becca, and Dakota and numerous great grandchildren.
After, John’s health took a turn for the worst Winnie continued to work a lot of long night
hours and she worked around all men. She never got intimidated by this and was a very strong independent woman and could out work most of the men around her. Winnie also sold Avon to help support her family. She was a penny pincher and her own stash of mad money. She loves everything Native American. Granddaughter Brandy describes Winnie as “One of the strongest women I know.” Winnie was a night owl and was hard working and dedicated to her family and firmly believed in helping others and paying it forward.
John was the early bird to rise in the morning. After dealing with some heart issues, he may have stopped working for Uncle Sam, but he continued to make money by wheelin’ and dealin’ and tradin’. John loved to fish and had huge family fish fries. John and Winnie in later years
became snowbirds and took off to Texas every winter. They absolutely loved to travel together.
John and Winnie just celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. Winnie still loves music, and you can always hear it coming from her room. John loves to travel the halls and can often be
found watching the birds out the windows. Family is still very important the John and Winnie. What a blessing it is to see them together at the table for every meal. We are honored to have John and Winnie Grable at Clinton Healthcare and Rehabilitation. Sixty-six years and counting and we get to count them together.
