John L. Winkeler, 78, of Beckemeyer, died Monday, January 11, 2010 at St. Joseph Hospital in Breese. 

Mr. Winkeler was born February 27, 1931 in Bartelso to Frank and Mary (Bergmann) Winkeler; they preceded him in death. 

Also preceded in death by brothers, Frank “Bud” Winkeler and Louis “Louie” Winkeler; sisters-in-law, Mary Winkeler, Genevieve “Jenny” Winkeler, and Mary Ann Gerdes; brothers-in-law, Ben Budde, Alfred “Bigfoot” Rickhoff, Alfred “Fritz” Fuehne, Ralph Timmermann, Joseph Timmermann, Paul Deerhake, and Dominic “Nick” Beckmann. 

He married Virginia “Ginny” Timmermann on September 29, 1953 at St. Anthony Church in Beckemeyer and she survives in Beckemeyer. 

Also surviving are his children, Les (Judy) Winkeler of Harrisburg, Gary (Diane) Winkeler of Breese, and Dennis (Elaine Fehrmann) Winkeler of Breese; his grandchildren, Jennifer (Bob) Steger, Erin (fiancé Rob Tucker) Winkeler, Beth Winkeler, Molly Winkeler, Chelsie (Collin) Fischer, and Kylre Fehrmann; sisters, Margaret (Ralph) Lake, Frances Winkeler, Christine Budde, Veronica Rickhoff, and Lucy “Lou” Fuehne all of Bartelso; brothers, Andy Winkeler of St. Rose and Alphonse (Kay) Winkeler of Albers; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Marietta Winkeler of Highland, Bernice Deerhake of Germantown, Bernette Beckmann of Bartelso, Gerty (Gene) Loepker of Bartelso, Leon (Laverne) Timmermann of Belleville, Leona (Rich) Thole of St. Rose, Don (Marilyn) Timmermann of Bartelso, and William “Bill” Gerdes of Bartelso; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

John retired as a truck driver from Churchill Truck Lines in St. Louis and previously worked for Jansen Truck Service in Breese. 

He was a member of St. Anthony Church and Men’s Sodality, Bartelso Knights of Columbus Council #4745, Catholic Holy Family Society, and Teamsters Local 600-St. Louis, MO. 

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 10:00 AM at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Beckemeyer with Fr. Chuck Tuttle, Fr. Henry Fischer and Deacon Bob Lippert officiating.  Interment will follow in St. Anthony Cemetery, Beckemeyer. 

Visitation will be Wednesday, January 13, 2010 from 4:00-9:00 PM and again on Thursday, January 14, 2010 from 8:00-9:30 AM at the Moss Funeral Home in Breese. 

Memorials can be made to St. Anthony Church or Mater Dei High School and will be received at the funeral home.