Timothy Lynn Winkler
Timothy Lynn Winkler died on March 29, 2021 after a brave battle with cancer. He was born December 20, 1948 in Brazil, Indiana and raised in Mountain Home, Arkansas. He graduated from Mountain Home High School in 1967 and enlisted in the US Army. He served active duty 1967-1976. He served in various military installations during his time in active duty, including Thailand during the Vietnam War, Okinawa, Japan, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and finally in Illesheim, Germany. He met and married his wife Jeanne in Bad Windsheim, Germany.
Upon returning to the United States, he attended and graduated from Norwalk Community College. He joined the 399th Civil Affairs Group, Army Reserve. In 1982 the 399th was deactivated and replaced by the 411th Civil Affairs Battalion Army Reserve. Tim was appointed Unit Administrator of the 411th and achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class. He worked as Unit Administrator until his retirement in 2009.
During his years with the 411th he became known as “Uncle Timmy” and was a resource for the many troops the Battalion deployed to missions in Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa for civil military operations. His commitment to his soldiers was exceptional, especially when they deployed overseas. His “kids’’ and their family members always knew Uncle Timmy would take care of them no matter how many miles away they were.
Tim was active in local veteran’s organizations and widely known in the Danbury veteran community. In addition to serving as the Post Quartermaster of VFW Post 149, Tim served as District 1 CT VFW Commander (2003-04), as President of the Danbury Veteran Council of Veterans, and as a member of the Veterans Council Honor Guard. In his role as a member of the VFW he continued the tradition of service to country by supporting local veterans and their families. He was instrumental in establishing the VFW Post 149 Scholarship Fund.
Tim was an avid reader, history buff, collector, and traveler. He loved coffee, his recliner, his dogs, watching Nascar and historical documentaries, and most especially, rooting for the Giants. He enjoyed bus rides, tailgates, and seeing games with his friends George Holick, Ron Agard, and Jimbo Lalos at Giants Stadium. He cheered with extra glee everytime the Giants beat the Patriots, particularly in Super Bowl games.
He is survived by his best friend and beloved wife of 47 years Jeanne, daughter Jennifer, her husband Thomas Williamson, and three grandchildren, Asher, Phoebe, and Eleanor, daughter Lindsey and her husband Matthew Shaver and two grandchildren, Raleigh and Julian. He is also survived by his sister Rita Barker and brother Ron Winkler from Mountain Home, Arkansas and many nieces and nephews. His best furry friend Emily will miss him dearly.
He is preceded in death by his parents John and Joyce Winkler, brother Donald, and his brotherin-law Larry Barker.
The family thanks the doctors, nurses, and staff at Praxair Cancer Center and Regional Hospice of Danbury. The family is eternally grateful to Ron and Christine Agard and Carleen Ybarra for their love and support.
A graveside burial with full military honors will be held at Wooster Cemetery in Danbury on Saturday April 10, 2021 at 11:00 am. All in attendance will need to wear masks. Following the service there will be a gathering of friends at the Veterans Memorial Armed Forces Reserve Center at 90 Wooster Heights Rd. in Danbury at 12:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Raymond A. Walling VFW Post 149 Scholarship Fund, 5 Byron St., Danbury, CT 06810 or to Danbury Animal Welfare Society, 147 Grassy Plain St., Bethel, CT 06801.