John Winkler (Mansfield)'s Obituary
John Winkler, son of Landon and Mary Stanifer Winkler was born May 22, 1927 in Sneedville, Tennessee and departed this life on January 16, 2013 in Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri at the age of eighty-five years, seven months and twenty-four days.
In December of 1947 he was united in marriage to Lillie Borders and to this union four children were born. Lillie passed away on November 4, 1976. In 1978, John married Wanda Dennis and she passed away on November 18, 2008. He was also preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Mack; four sisters, Mae, Nola, Bertha and Ada; a daughter-in-law, Karen Winkler and an infant granddaughter, Loni Winkler.
John is survived by three sons, Danny Winkler and his wife Gloria of Riverside, California, Lonnie Winkler and Rory Winkler both of Corona, California; a daughter, Lorie Rogers and her husband Scott of Garland, Texas; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two sisters, Thelma Cravens of Mansfield, Missouri and Shirley Bogart and her husband Jerry of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
John moved with his parents and siblings from Tennessee to Mansfield, Missouri at an early age and attended Mansfield Schools.
He served his country faithfully in the United States Army Air Force during WWII.
After the birth of Danny, John and Lillie moved to California in 1950 where they had Lonnie and twins, Rory and Lorie. While in California, John worked in maintenance for Lindsey Olive Company, was a welder at Fruehoff Trailers and drove a truck for many years for the Corona Dee Gee Company.
After Lillie’s death, John married Wanda and they returned to Mansfield in 1984, where they had both grown up. John began farming on the Winkler family farm north of Mansfield and raised beef cattle for many years.
John had made his profession of faith in Christ and was a member of Mansfield First Baptist Church. He was also a member of the Edsel car club.
He loved his old cars. He spent a lot of time restoring cars and had a very nice collection that he drove in many area parades.
John was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle and a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and will always remember those special times together.
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