Richard Leroy Winkler, age 76, of Gary Lane, Tiffin, died at 6 am, Tuesday, October 23, 2007, at his residence.
He was born April 15, 1931, in Clyde, Ohio, to the late Robert and Neva (Jones) Winkler. On October 2, 1954, in Tiffin, he married Patricia Ranker, and she survives.
Also surviving are a son, Richard Ernest Winkler of Fremont; Debra Sue (Robert) Smith of Fremont; Sherie Neva (David) Hoerig of Tiffin; and Shelly Ann Zeigler of Melmore; nine grandchildren, Joy Annette (Holley) Sayre, Michael Paul Holley, Elizabeth Cole (Winkler) Esparza, Kevin Ernest Holley, Brittany Rochelle (Winkler) Haferd, Crystal Marie Hoerig, Patti Jo Concepcion, Joel Andrew Concepcion, and Theresa Lee Zeigler; six great grandchildren, Gabriel Douglas Sayre, Victoria Cole Esparza, Jonathan Gial Esparza, Addison Rochelle Haferd, Kaleigh Suzanne Concepcion, and Grace Delaney Sayre; one step brother, Jim Wheeler of Hawaii; one sister, Wanda Distel of Tiffin; and one step sister, Eileen Ward of Florida.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Winkler and Neva Wheeler; his step father, Ernest Wheeler, a daughter, Laura Lynn Winkler, and two grandsons, Randy Alan Hoerig and Craig Richard Hoerig.
Mr. Winkler retired after 40 years as a die setter at Whirlpool Corporation, Clyde, and he was an avid camper and fisherman. He served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict.
Services will be 10 am Friday, October 26, 2007, at Traunero Funeral Home, 214 S. Monroe St., Tiffin, Ohio 44883 (419)447-3113, with Rev. John Halstead officiating. Friends may call Thursday, October 25, from 6 to 8 pm, and Friday one hour prior to services at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Community Hospice Care.
Mr. Winkler's tribute video will be available on Thursday morning.