Wayne A. Winkler

Wayne A. “Wink” Winkler, 71, of Wilkshire Hills, Bolivar, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 after a courageous 13-year battle with cancer and other infirmities.

He was born May, 28, 1932 in the old Winkler farmhouse at Dover. He was a proud 1950 graduate of Dover High School and had served on the class reunion committee up to this year.

Wayne was the son of the late Norman and Florence (Archinal) Winkler. In addition, he was preceded in death by an infant brother, a sister, Elaine (Winkler) (Bellerive) Brokaw and his former wife, Rhea (Gerber) Winkler who died in 1987.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 28 years, Carolyn Athens Winkler whom he wed on January 17, 1975.

Other survivors include: six children; Ken (Georgia) Winkler of San Diego, CA, Patt (Dan) Wengerd of Sugarcreek, Tam (Jeff) Stutzman of Sugarcreek, Nancy (Karl) Schmidt of Massillon, Mike Browning of Canton and Dave (Patty) Browning of Bolivar, eight grandchildren; Robyn, Angie, Lindsey, Cooper, Ryan, Stacey, Sarah and Luke, a brother; Donald E. Winkler of Dover, two sisters; Marlene (Kenneth) Immel of Dover and Jean (Robert) Zion of Salem. Also surviving are Wink�(TM)s two faithful cats, Scooter and Baby.

Wayne recently retired from his marketing and snack vending business. He operated Winkler Ashland Oil Distributorship for a number of years and was general manager of PEP Fuels at Cadiz and Sherrodsville. For 24 years he was Branch Manager of Capital Savings and Loan in New Philadelphia. He had also worked as an insurance agent for ten years, been employed by the former Reeves Steel, the Belden Brick Company where he worked as Building Construction Foreman, and from ages 13-21 was a farmer.

Wink was always interested in helping others and was very active in all types of community service his entire life.

He served in several positions, including Divisional Chairman, for the United Way of Tuscarawas County. He was Past-president of the New Philadelphia Kiwanis Club in 1966 and was a member in the club for 20 years. He was on the original committee to establish the “Dollars for Scholars” program that exists today.

His experiences in community service also meant time spent as a part of the Salvation Army Board and its Dollars for Scholars committee. He was a Life Member of the Dover Exchange Club, had served as the club President and helped to create the Canal Dover Festival that is now in its 22nd year. He had also been a member of various fundraisers for different youth programs in the area.

Wayne was a member of the Bolivar Wesleyan Church where he had served as a Board member, Trustee, Auditor, Finance and Building Committee member for 27 years.
He was active in promoting activities of his grandchildren in sports and academics. Wayne�(TM)s devotion to his wife, children, grandchildren and serving the Lord, were at the top of his list.

Wayne was a sports enthusiast and in his day was also a well-known area athlete, participating in the 40�(TM)s, 50�(TM)s and 60�(TM)s. He played Class-A baseball for 18 years in the Tri-County and County leagues with the Sugarcreek Parks and Walnut Creek Merchants. He was an outstanding fast-pitch player and pitcher for over 15 years with the New Phila. merchants, County Champs, Winfield Grange, Green Room and A&W. He was on the county fast-pitch team that beat “The King and His Court” two times at Quaker Stadium.

He also played semi-pro baseball in Akron, Canton and Massillon leagues for 12 years.

Wayne was a respected high school basketball official for 25 years.

After competitive sports, Wayne took up golf and soon became an avid golfer, winning some tournaments and carding four holes-in-one. Wayne had to give up golf and his other recreational activities when he began to lose his eyesight.

A service celebrating Wayne�(TM)s life will be held Monday, October 27, at 2:00 p.m. in the Bolivar Wesleyan Church with Dr. Steve Gerig and Rev. Jeff Mansell officiating. Interment will be in the Ft. Laurens Cemetery.

Friends may call in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home, Dover on Sunday from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m.

Wayne asks that happiness show through the sadness as he is home, where there is no pain. His life has been a beautiful ride over the bumps of life.

Those wishing to share fond memories of Wayne�(TM)s life are encouraged to visit the “obituaries” link on the funeral home�(TM)s website and sign his online guestbook.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to either: the Bolivar Wesleyan Church, 241 Pine St. NW, Bolivar, or to Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 W. 3rd St., Dover.