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John Winkler Obituary

John M. Winkler, born January 2, 1919 in Chanute, KS passed away June 24, 2006 in Colorado Springs after a short illness. Col. Winkler joined the Army AirCorp in 1941, graduated Class of 42A from Brooks Field, TX, and flew spitfires in WWII in the European theater for 18 months. He married June Wakeman of Niagara Falls, NY in January 1944 at The Citadel. Col. Winkler then served in the Pacific theater for a year, flew coverage for the Enola Gay. He served in Viet Nam from 1968-1969 as director of Airborne Control Center and retired, after 30 years in the Air Force, as Director of NORAD in Colorado Springs. Throughout his career, he received many distinctions and awards. In 1973, Col. Winkler joined Lockheed International, spending 7 years in Saudi Arabia as Vice President, Ground Environment Program. In retirement John and June spent summers in Colorado Springs and winters in Arizona. They had a wonderful life. Col. Winkler was an avid golfer and played with the ORBS at Peterson Field, playing just days before his illness. Col. Winkler is survived by his wife June of 62 years; daughters Jackie (Rick) Kemper of Houlton, WI and Janice Baratta of Scottsdale, AZ; brothers Jim, Bill and sister Mary; grandchildren Mark Baratta and Amy Haase and great grandchildren Portia and Madeline.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Gazette on Jul. 4, 2006.

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2 Entries

Robert & Connie Lutes

July 7, 2006

June and family please accept our sincere and deepest sympathy. We will never forget sharing our Saudi experience and the later reunions with you and John. We hope the passing of time will bring peace and comfort to your heart.

Michelle Barnett

July 5, 2006

June, my thoughts are with you and your family at this time. John had a wonderful sense of humor and will be missed by everyone who knew him. My prayers are with you now.

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