Wilburn Winkelmann

WilburnWinkelmann

Wilburn R. “Wink” Winkelmann, of China Spring, passed away on Saturday, October 7, 2017 on his 91st birthday.

Visitation: 6 to 8PM Thursday, October 12, 2017 at Lake Shore Funeral Home.

Funeral Service: 10AM Friday, October 13, 2017 at Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Scott Spence officiating.

Burial: China Spring Cemetery.

Wilburn retired after working over 40 years for the 7 Up and Dr Pepper plants in Waco, where he earned the respect of many co-workers and customers. Wilburn has been a faithful member of St. John’s United Church of Christ in Robinson for over 60 years.

Wilburn’s greatest gift was his love of traveling the countryside and visiting family and friends. You could often find him playing dominos with friends and family including grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Underneath his rough exterior was the most loving teddy bear anyone has ever seen.

Wilburn was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Dovie (Stone) Winkelmann; his parents, Fred and Anna Winkelmann; son, Buster Winkelmann; son-in-law, Bill Skiles; sisters, Sophie Schlemmer, Hattie Schmedhorst, Annie Springer, Alvina Schraeder Knudson, Lorena Jander, and Nita Harwell; brothers, Fred Winkelmann, Bill Winkelmann, and Henry Winkelman, numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and several nieces, nephews, and friends.

Papaw will be missed by family and friends. He is survived by his children, Darlene & Jim Gorham, Karen Skiles & Terry Woodward, and Annetta & Louis Green; grandchildren, Kristy McCollum Helm, Andy & Emily Gorham, Toni Winkelmann, Jenny & Steve James, Ashley Winkelmann & Mark Dancer, Kerri Smith, and Billy Skiles; siblings-in-law, Bobbie Kimball, Faye Koehne, Myrna & Stewart Scott, Ken Schroeder, and Don & Barbara Stone; ten great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

The family expresses appreciation to the wonderful caring staffs at The Brazos of Waco nursing home and Bluebonnet Hospice.

Memorials may be made to China Spring Volunteer Fire Department, St. John’s United Church of Christ in Robinson, or China Spring Methodist Church Senior Program.


Contact Information:

Lake Shore Funeral Home & Cremation Services

5201 Steinbeck Bend Dr
Waco, TX 76708
United States (US)
Phone: (254) 752-5900

Place of Service: Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel , 5201 Steinbeck Bend; Waco, TX 76708



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Condolence Messages

  1. Don and LaVon Baker

    Darlene, Karen and family,
    It breaks our hearts that we can’t be there with you. Pop is so dear to us. Don will cherish always being loved by Wink, Dovie and Buster, and loving them like family. There’s a hole in our hearts. Wish we could hug you all.
    Much, much love and prayers, LaVon and Don Baker

    • Thank you LaVon, Don was and still is the second son. Daddy loved Don before and even more after Buster passed away. We know you are with us in spirit and prayer. Take care of yourself and remember we love you both, Don is our BROTHER.

  2. Kellie Schmedthorst Kellum

    So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time. He was known to me as uncle Wilburn and he was always jovial.

  3. Prayers for the family Dorothy Price

  4. Prayers for the family. Dorothy Price

  5. bobby&linda schreiber

    Darlene&Jim, we are so sorry about your dad. However, he lived a full and long life and God has another angel. We are praying for your comfort and for God to fill the void your dad left in your life … and … HE WILL!!!!!!! hallelujah.

  6. Karen and Darlene,

    So sorry to hear about your daddy’s passing. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs to you all!

    Love,
    DeAnna

  7. Kim Schmedthorst Crunk

    So sorry for your loss he was a wonderful man who will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with all the family at this most difficult time. Uncle Wilburn as he was known to me was always a jolly man when you seen him.

  8. Toni Winkelmann

    I write this for you, Papaw, as the tears roll down my face.
    Another part of me is gone, A part that can’t be replaced.
    They called us to your bedside, it was time for you to fly.
    How do you fit a lifetime into a five minute goodbye?
    I asked you to kiss Mamaw & Daddy for me when you reach those pearly gates.

    • The entire poem was not posted, but here it is…

      I write this for you, Papaw, as the tears roll down my face.
      Another part of me is gone, A part that can’t be replaced.
      They called us to your bedside, it was time for you to fly.
      How do you fit a lifetime into a five minute goodbye?
      I asked you to kiss Mamaw & Daddy for me when you reach those pearly gates.
      Then the words “I love you”, broke from your lifeless state.
      The memories they cannot take, as they keep being replayed.
      I’m scared of where they’ll take me, or that one day they will fade.

  9. Rene Sanders Masiongale

    Darlene and Karen,
    Our families spent so many years doing fun things together. My fondest memories are from our childhood years playing while our parents played cards and dominoes. The nights at the bowling alley and all the great picnics in Cameron park. As the years passed it was such great joy to go dancing with them. They are finally all together again and I am sure Uncle Wilburn and my mom are settling up their dollar football bets.
    Love and prayers,
    Rene, Jim and family

  10. Your family is so blessed to have had Wink in their lives. He was a special kind of “guy” that made everyone feel loved and special. I have special memories and I’m blessed to have been able to call Wink my friend. God Bless your family.

  11. Gail Freedman McWhirter

    Darlene and Karen: I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. He was such a sweet man – unless you accidentally sat in his chair! What wonderful memories you have of your parents.

  12. Kathy Watson Pettigrew

    Karen,

    You and your family are in my prayers. Just wanted to let you know I was thinking of you at this difficult time.

  13. Sorry for Your Loss,Our Prayers go Out to All at this Difficult Time.He Was a Great Man and will be Missed!

  14. Ronny/Janet Bredemeyer

    To Karen, Darlene-Jim, Don Stone, Kristi, Family, and many friends, we are oh so very sorry to just find out about Wink’s passing. We knew he had been heart broken ever since sweet Dovey passed away. Our hearts/prayers go out to each of you today, and in the future. May GOD be with ‘each’ of you now and in the days. weeks, months, years to come. I have really/truly been blessed to have had these people in my life!! Again, May GOD bless ‘each’ of you!! I’m sorry that I’m not able to attend any of the Services. My Daughter-In-Law’s Family has been good Friends with the Winklelmann Family for many years through their being members of St John’s Church Of Christ in Robinson, Texas

  15. Gail Finn Sinkule

    I’m so sorry for your loss, your dad was a wonderful man who always had a smile for me when he came in the
    bank. We would talk, as his brother Henry Winkelmann was also my uncle. Now your dad is once again reunited with Dovie and Buster, all in God Kingdom. God Bless You.

  16. For the family, I’m so sorry to hear Uncle Wink passed. He and Aunt Dovie and Buster are together again. Love you all!

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