Joseph "Joe" B. Winkler

Joseph B. Winkler, age 87, of Germantown died on Wednesday, September 09, 2015 at his residence surrounded by his family. Joe was born on March 29, 1928 on the family farm in Germantown, the son of John C. and Clara (Brueggmann) Winkler. He married Helen Eilers on July 28, 1962 at St. Augustine Church in Breese.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife Helen, his parents, and his daughter: Karen Winkler; a brother: John “Johnny” Winkler; two sisters: Mary Eversgerd, and Agnes Hermeling; a niece: Geraldine Haar and her husband Jim; two nephews: Mark Schrage, and Joe Eilers; his brothers-in-law: Andrew Wilke and Frances “Fritz” Wesselmann; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law: Kathryn and Edward Eilers.

He is survived by his loving daughters: Patty Winkler of Germantown, Nancy (Gerald) Huelsmann of Breese, and Brenda (Robert Kuhl) Winkler of Albers; his nieces: Mary Jane Schrage of St. Rose, and Barb Eilers of Breese and many other nieces and nephews; his sisters-in-law: Sister Monica Eilers, SSND, Cel Wilke, and Clare Wesselmann; five grandchildren: Cassandra Winkler, Jessica Winkler, Joseph Huelsmann, Jonathan Winkler and Garrett Winkler; and his great grandson: Ethan Duncan-Winkler.

Joe was a member of St. Boniface Church in Germantown. He was a veteran of the United States Army and served in the Korean War with the 361st Engineer Construction Battalion, Company A. Joe was a member of the Trenton VFW and the Breese American Legion Post 252. Joe managed the Moto Mart in Breese, IL and was employed there for 41 years. He was very proud of his business and always greeted customers with a friendly smile. Joe was also a retired farmer, he loved to work in his garden and shell pecans. His most relaxing hobby was cutting grass.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 11, 2015 at Nordike Funeral Home in Breese from 4:00 until 8:00 PM and on Saturday from 8:00 until 9:30 AM.

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at St. Boniface Church in Germantown with Fr. Jim Buerster officiating. Burial will follow at St. Boniface Cemetery in Germantown with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials be made in Joe’s honor to Celtic Hospice, the Clinton County Humane Society, or Notre Dame Education Center in Canton, Mississippi and will be received at Nordike Funeral Home in Breese.