John Winkler

In loving memory of John Winkler;
Survived by his loving wife Anne, Sons John M. (wife Sharon), Robert (wife Laura), Mark, Grandchildren; John P. (wife Jennifer), Nicholas, Amanda (husband Nate), Aaron (wife Lauren), Austin, Lauren, Logan, Great Grandchildren; Ashley, Faith, Sofia, Eden, John P. Jr., Lily and Liam

Private services will be held.

Memorials appreciated to the Hemochromatosis.org – An Education Website for Hemochromatosis and Too Much Iron https://www.hemochromatosis.org/give in John’s name.

Today, I write this with a very heavy heart, we mourn the loss of our Dad, Opa, Uncle, Friend and the one true love of our Mom’s life. He had a tenacious and God loving spirit until the very end.
As your eldest Son that was blessed with and will carry on the name of John Winkler, as have many generations before and now generations thereafter in my Son and Grandson, this is my tribute to you Dad;
One day, a short while ago, I heard a song’s chorus that really stuck with me.
It said;
“We can’t own it,
We just get to hold it for a while” …this life.
“We can’t keep it or save it for another time”…this life.
A parent’s legacy, is not only how much they have done for their family like our Dad did, but how much time we get to spend with them, because, if we are lucky enough, we get that time. For some it’s way too short, for others, they are blessed to have had 88 years of time like our Dad did.
Some were blessed to know him for a few years and many of us, our whole lives. A man that was loved and respected by everyone he met.
It’s easy to be too busy in this life until life stops in its tracks when you lose someone so special, like our family did.
We will miss our Dad, but we will never forget him. It’s not just the pictures, videos, memories or stories we have of him, it is important to remember, that everyone in our family is a part of our Dad’s legacy, as he was a part of the past generations legacies because, each of us in this family will pass along pieces of us down through generations to come to remember us by… maybe it’s that similar or, exact smile, that same look on your face, your eyes, your build, your hands, your hair color or style, your laugh, an attitude, or one of the many other characteristics we have been blessed with that make us who were are today and will remind us time and time again of who and where we came from, our wonderful parents…this is how we will continue to remember each other forever.

A man that left his parents when he was young to come to the US to create his own path in life and go after the Amercan dream. My Dad worked hard to become a US Citizen and was always so proud of this great country. He would say in his later years, I did what I was put on this earth to do and had a very blessed and wonderful life in this beautiful Country of ours.
A leader, a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather…so loved our Mom – she and our family were his world. And he made and enjoyed so many friendships along his journey in this life. He loved to see and feed the birds, deer and other animals that came to visit in their backyard, it became a passion of his in his later years. Even right before his passing, the 3 deer, 3 turkeys and various birds came to the area right outside his hospice room so as if to say, thank you for taking care of us.

He was so Smart, Encouraging, Brave, always Giving, Compassionate, Kind, always gave a person a second chance, Commended Respect but gave it in return, loved to travel, play golf, hunt, fish, his word was his handshake, and strength in his beliefs comes from his European descent, the best father example anyone, especially us 3 boys, and his grandchildren and great grandchildren, could ever have.

My Dad loved to work, but he didn’t work as long as he did because he only liked to work, it was because he loved working, nurturing and creating success with and through his family. You taught us to work smart, and after we are finished, enjoy life, you only have one.
We love you so much Dad and God only knows how much we will miss you! Thank you for doing all you have done, for being such a great person and example that has helped shape all of our lives today.

We enjoyed so many good times together Dad, you taught us so much, and we work hard every day to make you proud, as I know you are of us all. We all get to hold onto this life for only a little while, and we’ll make the best of it just like you said we should.

We’ll be together again soon. Enjoy your time in Heaven with our good Lord Jesus, your Mom and Dad, Brother and all the rest of the past generations. A Zillion Hugs go out to you Dad from us all.

Rest in peace and God’s speed Daddy! Love you 4-Ever!