Dr. Paul H. 'Wink' Winkler

Hastings resident, Dr. Paul H. Wink Winkler, passed away Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at the Brookstone Meadows, in Omaha, NE. Memorial Mass services will be Tuesday, December 27th at 11 am at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Hastings, NE with Father Joseph Faulkner officiating. Private family burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Hastings, NE. Condolences may be sent to the family from www.brandwilson.com. Memorials may be given to The Knights of Columbus, Hastings NE or Catholic Social Services, Hastings NE. Paul was born to Frank and Maude Freer Winkler on August 30th, 1923 in Heron Lake Minnesota. He graduated from Heron Lake High School. During World War II, Paul served with the Army of the United States from 1943 - 1946 and received numerous decorations and citations. He married Maxine Mathias on June 17, 1947. He graduated in 1952 from The California College of Chiropody (Podiatry) and moved to Hastings. He lived there for 59 years where he practiced podiatry before retiring. He was a member of the St. Michaels Catholic Church, in Hastings, NE. He served as the Past President of the Nebraska Podiatry Association. Paul was a past Exalted Ruler of Elks Lodge #159 and a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a past member of Southern Hills Golf Club and Lochland Country Club both in Hastings, NE. Paul excelled at whatever he attempted. He was a champion golfer, hand-ball player & tennis player, fisherman and bowler. He played basketball during podiatry school, even playing against the Harlem Globetrotters. Paul was a former pilot and continued to share his joy of aviation thru his love of model airplanes. He was a master carpenter and extremely talented artist and loved a good game of cards. He is survived by two daughters, Michele Minnick and Catherine Bassett, both of Omaha; one son, Jeffrey of Lakeville, Minn; two brothers, Bob of Woodberry, Minn;and Francis Winkler of California, 6 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Maxine, infant daughter, two brothers and two sister.