Dr. Jerry Winebrenner, Cromwell, passed away peacefully in the morning hours of Jan. 14, 2020.

Born on Sept. 6, 1949 in Mishawaka to Robert E. Winebrenner and Betty Snyder.

Jerry was a man of many hats. He attended John Adams High School and graduated from Elkhart Central High School. He went on to graduate from Indiana University at South Bend in 1974 as a paramedic. Then he would earn his Doctor of Naturopathy degree in 2001, and run a private natural health practice for many years.

Jerry’s lifelong passion, however, was undeniably the martial arts, which he began in 1963 and pursued in earnest for the next almost 60 years of his life. In 1983 Jerry founded the Tai Ki Budo Kai Martial Arts Federation alongside his twin brother, the late Dr. Gerry Winebrenner, for which he would earn worldwide recognition and train numerous students, many of whom would go on to become certified Grandmasters in their own rights, throughout the country.

Jerry lived his life with limitless ambition, and frequently only half-jokingly noted that he had plans “until he was 103.” A servant of everyone he met, Jerry was truly a lifelong student, a teacher of teachers, a brother, a healer, a friend, and father-figure to many.

Jerry is survived by his adopted son Joey (also of Cromwell), and many, many members of his martial arts family. Other survivors include his brother Larry Winebrenner of Medford, Oregan; two sisters Kristi Warmoth and Judy Heston both of Mishawaka, Indiana; aunt, uncle, and many nieces and nephews.

He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

There will be a private memorial for family at a later date.

Legacy Cremation and Remembrance Center are handling arrangements