Donald "Don" P. Winkler

Winkler Famiy— So Sorry for your loss ! The man with many jokes ! The man made people laugh ! Loved to hear him ! Sympathy to you all ! Shirley Chapman

Don and I worked at Sears together. And shared many great conversations about life. Talked almost every day signed off with love you. Then I took a turn for the worst with my anuraism on my Aorta. Now being cared for at Agrace in Fitchburg. So we prayed for each other. Still when news hit he passed we had said we would be waiting for each other.

Don and I have been friends since 1979, shortly after my wife, Peggy, and I started "Wisconsin Flyer" magazine, which evolved into "Midwest Flyer Magazine" in 1980. We enjoyed many good times together, some events he coordinated, such as when Colonel Bob Morgan of "Memphis Belle" fame came to Madison, Wisconsin with the Memphis Belle B-17, and other events I coordinated, such as when I hosted the First Lady of Aviation, Moya Lear (i.e., Lear Jet), for the Wisconsin Aviation Trades Association Convention. Don and I chauffeured Mrs. Lear around Oshkosh, Wisconsin in former Vice President Spiro Agnew's old bullet proof limousine, courtesy of EAA. I also took Don along for a ride when we flew in a KC-135 tanker for a refueling mission out of Volk Field. We had an enduring anf friendship.

Dear Jo: I want you to know how much your dad meant to so many of us. He was funny, charming, and just a delightful human being to be around, never a negative encounter. What I remember of my Uncle Don is, he was a rare jewel, indeed. Even though I didn't get to see him very offen, I remember him always being enthusiastic and having the ability to make me smile. I loved his laugh, he was just a funny guy and always encourage me to succeed in what ever I chose to do. I also recall him being proud of me for being in the Air Force, he was so delighted about that. I don't recall knowing that he too was in the Air Force and apparently had a fierce love for flying. Anyway dear cousin, I am so sorry for the pain you are going through, your dad was special and I have NO doubt is telling jokes to the Angels. He was a good man and I am sure his memory will be a blessing to all that knew him and I know that God's light will shine upon him eternal. Love Susan

I remember my Uncle Don with fondness and love. Always had a joke to tell that never failed to make us laugh, especially my mother who suffered with depression. He was bigger than life for me and my brothers and sisters, and always made time for us when we would sneak into Sears to see him in his suit and tie. I will never forget the boat rides he took us on, and the life conversations he shared with this teenage niece as we walked around the Monona golf course. He was an advisor, a Christian, a good listener, influencer and full of unconditional love. Thank you Uncle Don, you will be dearly missed!