MADISON- Donald P. Winkler, age 92, of Madison, passed away at home on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023. He was born on March 30, 1931, in Milwaukee, Wis., the son of Paul Winkler and Caroline (Goelz) Winkler. Donald graduated from Wauwatosa High School. He had many great stories about growing up in Milwaukee. He was a drummer in a swing band and worked as a caddy at Blue Mounds Country Club. He developed his love of photography working for the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel as a copy boy. After he was discharged from the service he moved to Madison and worked as an Air Traffic Controller at CAA Truax Field in Madison. He was married and his children grew up going to the airport for plane rides, visits to the weather bureau in the old terminal and breakfasts at the Jet Room and other local airports, flying there with Don. He supported his kid’s activities proudly. He married Carol (Tormey) Winkler on Oct. 26, 1990, and they lived in Madison, Wis. His family grew and their home was the hub for many family gatherings where there was always sure to be a game of basketball out on the driveway or a wild game of Spoons.

Donald proudly served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951-1955 including the Korean War. He then worked as a Sales/Store Manager at Sears until his retirement in 1993. He continued to work in public affairs and photojournalism for Wisconsin Aviation and was very involved in introducing aviation to children on educational tours at the airport. In his free time, he loved flying airplanes and photography. He had his own aerial photography business called Air Vue. He was a member of the EAA, AOPA, Wisconsin Wing CAP, Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame and the Rotary Club of Sun Prairie. He has received several awards for his contributions to Aviation. He was well known for his sense of humor and practical jokes.

Donald’s greatest love was for his family. He was always a source of supportive wisdom, encouragement and unconditional love. He would keep in touch with all of his family, including still being able to text and video chat at 92 years old. Donald is survived by his wife, Carol; daughters, Jo Anne (Dale) Winkler-Bley, Kathi (Bob) O'Brien and Lisa (Adam) Gagas; sons, Jeff (Brenda) Winkler, Bob (Pam) Winkler, Greg (Korrine) Winkler and Jeff (Christi) Simpson; granddaughters, Sarah Taplin, Lyndsey Bley, Nikki Winkler, Emma O'Brien, Noelle Timm, Courtney Gagas and Claire Gagas; grandsons, Zachary Winkler and Ben O'Brien; great-grandchildren, Cora Taplin and Archer Taplin, Tobias Timm, Sophia Timm, Stella Timm; and nephew, Scott Winkler. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Paul (Jean) Winkler; and niece, Michelle Winkler.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Thursday. Burial will be held at Highland Memory Gardens at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame Scholarship Fund-WAHF (Carl Guell Memorial Scholarship) for the education of young pilots or to Agrace HospiceCare. See links below.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Donald "Don" P. Winkler

March 30, 1931 - October 20, 2023

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