Wilbert H.C. Winkler

The Rev. Dr. Wilbert Herman Carl Winkler, 89, of Enterprise, Alabama, passed peacefully from life to life eternal on Aug. 10, 2022. A celebration of life service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, at First United Methodist Church, 217 S. Main St., Enterprise, Alabama. David Morris of First United Methodist Church Enterprise, Alabama, the Rev. Ryan Martin of Bonifay First United Methodist Church, Bonifay, Florida, and the Rev. Matt Jordan of Wesley Chapel, Enterprise, Alabama, will officiate. In lieu of sending flowers for the service, donations may be sent to Encompass Health Hospice, 805 E. Lee St., Enterprise, AL 36330, or the family. “Wink,” as he was known to his friends, was born to Albert and Elsa Kohls Winkler in Gillett on May 27, 1933. The eldest of five children, he came from humble beginnings on a dairy farm. He dreamed of a career in veterinary medicine, but God had other plans for him. Wink graduated from Gillett High School in 1951, then attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, majoring in German and graduating in 1955. He went on to study at the Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary (now Trinity Seminary), where he earned his Master of Divinity in 1958. Curiosity always pushed him to continue learning, and over his lifetime he earned degrees from The Ohio State University (sociology and criminology), Michigan State University (studies in religious leadership and literature), University of Wisconsin-Madison (German), Winona State College (education) and Covington Theological Seminary (Doctor of Sacred Theology, with concentration in Old Testament and Hebrew). Later in life, he also earned certification as an EKG technician and phlebotomist. He also shared his love of learning with others, teaching high school and university classes in German, as well as many adult Bible study classes on his book, “The Book of Jonah, the Runaway Prophet,” and numerous other topics. Wink served Lutheran congregations in North Dakota, Ohio, Wisconsin and Florida, from 1958 to 1990. While serving in Ohio, he joined the Air Force Reserves, becoming the TDY Air Force Chaplain at Lockbourne Air Force Base in Ohio. After retiring from the ministry, he joined the Air Force Civil Air Patrol, rising to the rank of major. Wink had a variety of interests throughout his life. He loved to travel the United States and worldwide, even co-owning a travel agency for a time along with his wife, Judith, and their youngest daughter. He had a special talent for learning languages and was always interested in adding to his knowledge. Wink was introduced the science of embalming in mid-life and was often called to help at area funeral homes. Wink met his first wife, Judith C. Berndt Winkler, at Wartburg College. They were married for 47 years, and together they raised three children — Deborah Winkler Stokes of Bloomington, Illinois, Mark Winkler (Carol) of Deland, Florida, and Sara Winkler Rittersbach (George) of Stuart, Florida. He enjoyed six grandchildren, Collin Stokes (Ashley) of Chatsworth, Illinois, Nicole Klemp (Tim) of Jacksonville, Florida, Leah Stokes (Enrique Palma) of Orlando, Florida, Benjamin Winkler (Isaac) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Tess Rittersbach of Queens, New York, and James Rittersbach of Port Orange, Florida. He was also great-grandfather to Tearson and Aidison Stokes, Karina Palma and Anna and Madison Klemp. His family was very happy when he found love a second time with Judy Sposato. They married on Aug. 16, 2003, and Wink was always proud to call her two sons, Scott Sposato (Helene) and Andrew Sposato, his own and he loved their children, Brook Simmons, T.J. Simmons, Joshua Sposato (Makaylah) and Jaytaylor Sposato, as is own. He enjoyed being great-grandpa to Braydon, Vander and Capri Sposato. Judy was his best friend, and she became his loving caregiver over the last few years. She taught Wink to relax and enjoy retirement, and he truly did. He learned to cook and smoke meats, and these he did with a passion, even developing his own spice blend that was sought after by restaurants, along with his signature smoked bacon. We know that God is smiling on him now and saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Sorrells Funeral Home and Crematory of Enterprise, 334-347-9598, is in charge of arrangements. To sign a guest register, please visit www.sorrellsfuneralhomeenterprise.com.