Harry Clayton Winkle
December 14, 1951 - April 29, 2026
Obituary
LAKEWOOD- Harry C. Winkle, age 74, of Lakewood, Wis., passed away Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at Heritage Monona in Madison, Wis. He was born on December 14, 1951, in Rochester, Pa., son of Thomas Winkle and Pearl (Johnson) Winkle.
He was united in marriage to Ingrid Hess at St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church in Chicago, Ill., on September 21, 1974.
Harry proudly served for 20 years in the United States Marine Corps as an aircraft mechanic, including two tours in Vietnam, countless tours in Asia and many duty stations across the United States. After completing his military service, he dedicated 27 years to his career at PCA in Burlington, Wis., retiring in 2016. Following retirement, he and his beloved wife, Ingrid, moved to Lakewood, Wis., where they embraced the tranquility and natural beauty of life in the Northwoods.
His love for the outdoors began in childhood, when he explored the hollow with his siblings near their Pennsylvania home. That connection to nature stayed with him throughout his life, whether he was hunting, hiking, or testing his skills alongside his children through Boy Scouts of America and 4H. As a devoted “Opa” he cherished time spent with his grandchildren fishing, gardening, storytelling, and cheering them on at their activities. He also had a passion for travel and treasured exploring the United States. He spent meaningful time living in Hawaii, where he embraced the islands’ natural beauty and way of life. As an avid sports fan he could often be found cheering on his favorite NASCAR drivers and proudly supporting the Green Bay Packers and, as a native of Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also loved classic cars, classic rock music, antiquing and restoration.
Harry is survived by his children, Richard (Sonya) Winkle, Kenneth (Heather) Winkle and Kristina (Kyle) Devore; grandchildren, Gavin Winkle, Hunter Winkle, Autumn Winkle, Cohen Winkle, Jayden Devore, Ethan Winkle and Hailey Devore; sister, Janice Winkle; sister-in-law, Marilyn Winkle; brothers-in-law, Eric Nedrow and Leonard Hess; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and brothers in arms.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ingrid Winkle; parents, Thomas and Pearl Winkle; brothers, Raymond (Rozan) May, Thomas Winkle, Jerry Winkle and Paul Winkle; sisters, Margaret Proya and Charlene Nedrow; and brother-in-law, Arnie Winkle.
A graveside service with military honors will be held at SOUTHERN WISCONSIN VETERANS MEMORIAL CEMETERY, 21731 Spring St., Union Grove, Wis., at 1 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026, followed by a celebration of life in Delavan, Wis.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420