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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Police say it's likely that homeless man died from exposure ... Grandma says: ‘Wake up, World’ ... Feds seek forfeiture of guns and money tied to pot operation ... Police say it's likely that homeless man died from exposure ... Grandma says: ‘Wake up, World’ ... Feds seek forfeiture of guns and money tied to pot operation ... John R. Winkler Sr. (Wink) Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 26, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Apr 27, 2015 at 7:10 AM Posted Apr. 26, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Apr 27, 2015 at 7:10 AM » Social News John R. Winkler Sr. (Wink) Nov. 5, 1938 – Apr. 16, 2015 John R. Winkler, Sr. passed away peacefully Thursday, April 16 at Rogue Valley Medical Center in Medford, Ore., after a long battle with congestive heart failure and the after-effects of lung cancer. He was surrounded by many that loved him dearly John was born November 5, 1938 in Portland, Ore. to Lewis and Edith Winkler. He enjoyed visiting his grandfather Walter Winkler in Ashland and Jacksonville where his love for Southern Oregon began. He is survived by his older sister, Carolyn Cook and younger sister, Kris Funk John grew up in St. Helens, Ore., graduating from high school in 1957. He joined the U.S. Navy Reserves and had hoped to be a tug boat operator in the Pacific Northwest, but instead was assigned to the aircraft carrier Ticonderoga based in the San Francisco Bay. Between 1957 and 1960 he traveled the Pacific Ocean making many friends and collecting many experiences, memories, and stories that he was reciting to friends the day he died. When John returned home from the Navy he began working in the family trucking business, Farney Trucking and stayed busy by volunteering in local community organizations; he was the President of the Jaycees, the Commodore of the Yacht Club, active in the chamber of commerce and many planning committees. One of his most cherished memories was as a St. Helen’s Jaycee in 1965 when they organized the cross-country trip of the Oregon Log. Through partnerships with many local businesses he helped haul an 8-foot by 30-foot log cut in Columbia County to promote the Oregon Jaycees at the Jaycees National Convention in Buffalo, N.Y. He received awards for his civic service and was considered one of Oregon’s 10 Outstanding Young Men of 1965. John followed up these events with his first marriage to Sandra Wells and in 1967 welcomed their son, John R. Winkler, Jr In the early 1980’s John moved to Southern Oregon working for numerous trucking companies, dabbling in his own trucking ventures and puttering on the 120 acres in the hills of Jacksonville owned by his grandfather. In 1985 he married Joyce D. (Genz) Jensen. During their 25-year marriage they enjoyed traveling for her educational business, spending time in Gold Beach, and Yuma, Ariz. and spending time with their friends and family. Wink, as most of his friends knew him, kept himself busy working for Black Bird Sporting Goods and volunteering for sportsmens’ associations like the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Rogue Guides Association. All of his connections through hunting and fishing, trucking and the Black Bird gave him unique qualifications to get tasks done that many others could never accomplish John’s final project was the renovation of Zion Lutheran Church’s sanctuary. After a purposely set fire John was instrumental in assisting and helping guide the congregation through a very difficult time. He poured his heart into this project because he was a man who would give to projects and people he believed in. He is survived by his sisters; son, John R. Winkler, Jr. of St. Helens; step-daughter, Gail Ann Jensen-Stephens of Waco, Texas; grandchildren, Sophie Winkler, Joyce, and Carla and Vanessa Stephens; four great-grandchildren; his nephew, Mark Edwards of Hillsboro, Ore.; nieces, Debbie Maier of Portland (grandniece Melissa Anderson and grandnephew Patrick Maier), Allison Wagner of Las Vegas (grandnieces Jennifer Cooper and Heidi Canfield), Mary Jay (grandnieces Helen and Jordan) of Jacksonville, Fla. and Helen Ward (grandnephews Scott and Chris) of Waitsfield, Vt. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce D. Winkler (Aug. 2010) and his father and mother, Lewis and Edith Winkler. John was the kindest, most caring, and giving grumpy old man that we could always rely on to get almost anything done. His daughter Gail, stated when describing him that “the exterior does not speak for the interior.” This statement could not speak truer of any other man; it fit him to a T. He will be greatly missed. A private interment will be held Friday, May 8, 2015 at the Eagle Point National Cemetery. A church service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 9, 2015 at the Zion Lutheran Church, 516 W. 4th (4th & Oakdale) in Medford, Oregon 97501. Please arrive early to visit, view a short slideshow, and remember a great friend; we will provide coffee and cookies. The family would like to invite Wink’s friends to a celebration of life BBQ the same day at Touvelle State Park, day use area A from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Parking is limited and there is a $5 parking fee at the park. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church in John “Wink” and Joyce’s names. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 26, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Apr 27, 2015 at 7:10 AM You may leave your condolences or share memories by signing the Guest Book here » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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