of Mayflower, AR
February 22, 1939 - December 28, 2022
Richard Winkler passed away on December 28, 2022 at the age of 83. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Virgie Winkler and his four children, Carl Winkler, Richard E. Winkler and his wife, Bobbie, Tim Winkler, Sherri Christ and her husband, Jimmy. Richard had 17 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren who loved and adored their ''Pop''. He was a great man who loved his family and will be missed terribly.
Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Friday, December 30, 2022 at Roller-Drummond Funeral Home. The funeral service will be 9:30 a.m. Saturday, December 31, 2022 at the funeral home followed by burial at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander.
With twenty years separating us in age, you might think my brother Richard (Dick) and I would have little in common. That wouldn't be true. My childhood was spent not only with Dick and Virgie at our house regularly for visits, but also with his children (who were roughly my age) as my childhood playmates. Consequently, my memories were all pleasant - times filled with laughter, lots of food, and plenty of noise. In a family of eight, there's always noise.
As we aged, we had fewer and fewer opportunities to visit in person, but I always could count on Dick to remember my birthday or Christmas or all those other times when family is so important. As we have aged, we also starting looking and acting more and more like our father. And that was a good thing. Like our father, Dick was a kind and compassionate man; a hard worker every day of his life; a man whose word could be counted on and whom you know would be there if you ever needed anything.
Above all, Dick loved his family -- not that casual type of expected love but that extraordinarily genuine love. He loved Virgie. He loved his children. He really loved his children. They were the reason he worked long hours; they were the reason his life had meaning. Even when he and Virgie were part of a bowling league, Dick always was the first to get back home so he could be with the kids. And consequently his children have that same kind spirit, that same gentle nature, that same concern for others.
I remember two special things about Dick. He was saved as an adult, and he was so incredibly proud of his relationship to God. We all attended his baptism, and he simply beamed with joy. I also remember when mother decided to take a short-cut one Christmas and used a "store bought" pie crust. Dick was the one who discovered that she had failed to remove the plastic wrapping, which she had baked into the pecan pie. So, he saved us all from choking that year. It's a funny memory and one of many I always will treasure.
There are too few really, really good men in the world. We lost ours on Wednesday of this week. I thank God for sharing him with our family and pray that in the days ahead his family will remember what a legacy of love he leaves behind.
What can you say at a time like this except I'm sorry for the loss of your Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather and my first brother-in-law. I am glad he is not suffering anymore and is completely healed now and in the presence of our Father in Heaven! I know that one day soon we shall all be called to that great reunion in the sky. I have known him for 65 years and loved him like the brother I never had.
Remember the good times! and Love one another as love covers a multitude of sin. I will be here for you guys in any way I can be.
Love to you all, may God cover you with his grace and peace during this season of your life.
Aunt Kay