John Jay Winkler, 82, of Newman, Illinois, went home to be with his Lord and Savior and walk the streets of gold at 9:08 p.m., Sunday, December 2, 2012 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 8, 2012 at the First Baptist Church of Tuscola, 300 East Daggy Street, Tuscola, IL, with Pastor Jerry Silver officiating. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the services at the church. Burial with military graveside rites accorded will be in the Newman Cemetery, Newman, IL.

John was born on November 5, 1930 in Wichita, Kansas, the son of Zachariah E. and Lue M. Smith Winkler. He married Rebecca J. "Becky" Bartimus on June 19, 1960. She preceded him in death on July 8, 2009.

Survivors include his daughters: Judy and Julie Winkler both of Denver, CO and June Winkler of O'Fallon, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Gideon's or to the donor's choice.

John farmed and he retired from USI-Quantum Chemical Company in Tuscola, IL, where he worked as a chemist. After retirement, he worked at County Market in Champaign and he also worked at the Champaign US Post Office in the maintenance department, retiring in March 2012. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Tuscola, the American Legion and the Gideon's. He also was a US Army Veteran. "Go Illini"

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, Tuscola, IL, visit www.hilligosssshraderfh.com for further information and to send condolences.