Jerome "Jerry" Winkel

Jerome David Winkel was born on October 25, 1942 to Lawrence and Irene (Hummel) Winkel on the family farm near Glen Elder, Kansas, the youngest of 6 children. He died early Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas at the age of 79.

He went to school for four years at the Rose Valley Country School, then finished his schooling at Glen Elder, where he graduated in 1960. He then enlisted in the National Guard in 1961, where he served a total of six years, including one year of active duty at Fort Bliss, Texas and Fort Carson, Colorado.

He married Patricia Duskie in 1964, and they made their home in Cawker City. Three children were born, Anthony, Brian, and Denise.

Jerry worked as an autobody mechanic for 38 years, operating his own ship for 34 years until he retired due to health reasons. In 2000, they moved north of Glen Elder on the family farm where he grew up, and farmed as a second career.

He was a member of the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, served as a volunteer fireman and EMT for many years, was a member of the Glen Elder Township Board, volunteered to deliver Meals on Wheels, served as municipal judge for Cawker City, Glen Elder, and Tipton, was on the board of directors for rural water district #2, was an honorary life member of the Knights of Columbus, and was a member and sergeant of arms for the American Legion Post #379.

He was preceded in death by his wife Patti; his parents; his sister, Jean Boden; and his brother, Lawrence Winkel Jr.

Jerry is survived by his children, Anthony and wife Iryna of St. Louis, Brian and wife Christine of Glen Elder, and Denise and husband Ben Arnold of Wichita; grandchildren, Savannah and Kaleb Winkel, Tasha Jenkins, Christopher Hudson, Sierra Callahan, Brittany Lawrence, and Raleigh and Sloane Arnold; great grandchildren, Kevin, Abigail, Briley, Lakyn, Easton, Bryndle, and Barrett; sisters, Mary Gamber and Doris Greene; brother, Karl Winkel; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Some of the things he considered the most important: God, family, country, honesty, and good friends. He loved the outdoors, the smell of fresh plowed earth and fresh cut alfalfa, the sound of a new born baby cry, and the frogs after the rain.

Funeral services will be at 1 PM Saturday, April 30 at the Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Cawker City. A rosary service will be at 6 PM & visitation from 4 PM until the rosary service begins on Friday at the Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Tunnels for Towers.