ELLINWOOD — Maurice Winkelman, 89, died Jan.5 at Ellinwood District Hospital. He was born June 15, 1922 in Rice County the son of Carl Winkelman and Lydia Sewing Winkelman.

He attended OK Grade School and graduated from Chase High School. He was a farmer before serving 30 years in the U.S. Postal Service as a mail clerk and rural mail carrier. He was a hunter and fisherman, gardener and woodworker. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Ellinwood where he served as trustee and elder, and for 30 years, was the church’s groundskeeper and custodian.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He married Eloise Suhler on Jan. 18, 1948 in Ellinwood.

He is survived by Eloise Winkelman of the home; sons, Bruce (Jeanette) Winkelman of Tulsa, Okla.; Monte (Marlana) Winkelman of Sioux City, Iowa, Tim (Karen) Winkelman of Great Bend; daughter, Lois Sierra of Lawrence; brother, Ralph Winkelman of Rockport, Texas; sister, Verda Everett of Van Wert, Ohio; sister-in-law, Joan Winkelman of Wichita; brother-in-law, Norman Rice of Wichita; six grandchildren, Kirk and Joel Winkelman, Alison Moore, Justin Winkelman, and Philip and Emma Sierra; three great-granddaughters, Octavia Winkelman, Simone Winkelman and Addyson Moore.

He was preceded in death by brothers, Lavern, Lovell and Steve Winkelman, and a sister Doris Rice.

The service is at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 9 at St. John Lutheran Church with Pastor Jeff Frakes officiating. Calling time will be from 1-8 p.m. Saturday and 1-8 p.m. Sunday with family receiving friends from 2:30-4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Lakin-Comanche District Cemetery in Ellinwood. Memorials can be made to the St. John Child Development Center or to St. John Lutheran Church.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Kimple Inc. Funeral Home*

113 N. Main

Ellinwood, KS 67526

Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Jan. 6, 2012