James D. “Jim” Winkler, 71, of Wabash, Indiana, died at 7:11 am, Monday, October 8, 2018 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born June 29, 1947 in Rockcastle County, Kentucky to James Millard Winkler and Dealthia (Marler) Haggard.
Jim was a US Army combat veteran of the Vietnam War, where he was awarded a Purple Heart. He married Yvonna “Kay” Young in Hamilton, Ohio on November 18, 1989; she died November 29, 2014. He retired from Fisher Body in Marion after 30 years. Jim enjoyed fishing, going to yard sales, antiquing, collecting guitars and records, star gazing, and his pets.
He is survived by three children, Tara Callahan-Smith of Wabash, James “Tony” Winkler of Hamilton, Ohio, and Steven (Tracy) Winkler of Virginia Beach, Virginia, mother, Dealthia Haggard of Winchester, Kentucky; five grandchildren, Abigail Kay Smith of Wabash, Corey Winkler of Virginia Beach, Courtney (Ben) Drommerhausen of Newport News, Virginia, Allison Winkler and Brittany Winkler, both of Middletown, Ohio; six great grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Gary (Willard) Winkler, Danny Winkler, Fred Winkler, Brenda (Herman) Rice, Janet (Kelly) Harrison, and Tina (Michael) Thompson, all of Winchester, Kentucky; army brother, Sam Penxa of Garden City, Michigan; and two brothers-in-law, Ronald (Dottie) Young of Trenton, Ohio, and Donnie Moore of Hamilton, Ohio and also several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, and four brothers, David, Orville, Wayne, and Randy Winkler.
Funeral services will be 11:00 am Saturday, October 13, 2018 at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with Rev. Ralph Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Falls Cemetery, Wabash. Friends may call 9:30-11:00 am Saturday, at the funeral home.
The memorial guest book for Jim may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.