Wendell Dale "Wink" Winkler

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Wendell “Wink” Winkler, 94, of Wamego, KS and formerly of Paola, KS, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on Sunday, November 4, 2018, at Home of the Flint Hills of St. George, KS.

On November 22, 1923, Wink was born at his childhood home in Paola, KS, to parents Garrett and Sarah Eleanor Roberts Winkler. He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Louese Strickler on August 31, 1946 in Baldwin, KS. They enjoyed over 70 years of marriage and two daughters were born of this marriage, Jane (Rod) Carsten, and Melissa (Steve) Patterson Eshelman, his six grandchildren, Sarah Clark, Bryan (Amber) Carsten, and Jonathan Carsten, Amy and Larissa Patterson Eshelman, and Maddy Eshelman, plus two great-granddaughters, Aspen and Riley Clark. Wink was devoted to his family and loved spending time with them. He taught all his grandchildren how to drive a golf cart, he loved attending their sporting events and he was an encourager to them in whatever they were pursuing in life.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Louese Winkler, an infant brother, Wayne Lloyd Winkler, a brother, Francis Winkler, his sister, Evelyn Winkler, and a son-in-law, Larry Patterson.

Wink attended Paola elementary and high school, Baker University and Washburn Law School where he received his Juris Doctorate. He was in the Navy from 1943 – 1946 during World War II, where he was trained and served as a pilot. Wink had a strong work ethic and told stories of washing windows for 85 cents as he was putting himself through law school. He worked in the grocery store as a kid and never lost his enjoyment of reading the sale ads and finding a bargain. Wink was an attorney in Paola for 53 years, and also had an abstract and title company there. He was elected Miami County Attorney for 16 years, from 1953 – 1969, and served as president of the Kansas Attorney Association.

Wink was well known for helping others and volunteering long hours to improve his community and help school kids excel in sports. He was a member of the Paola United Methodist Church, American Legion, Kansas Historical Society, VFW, Washburn Law School Alumni, Paola Masonic Lodge, Abdallah Shrine, and the Paola Lions Club, during which he traveled to the International Conventions in Dallas, Mexico City, and Nice, France. He enjoyed traveling and took many portages to Canada, where he and friends would camp and travel by canoe through the rapids, remembering fondly when they capsized and lost all their food and gear. A few months ago, he enjoyed a trip to Aruba with his family. He had an easy-going personality and took life in stride, often being the voice of reason.

Wink enjoyed most sports all his life, whether playing them or officiating them. While in law school, he officiated 6-man JV and high school football games. He later officiated junior college, college, and BIG 8 Conference football. He officiated the NAIA district and national championships, NCAA II regional playoffs, several bowl games including the Sun Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, and the 1971 “Game of the Century” between Nebraska and Oklahoma for the National Championship. Wink officiated 25 years on the field, and later observed officials for 25 years for the Big 8 and Big XII. He was inducted into the Baker University Hall of Fame, College Officials Hall of Fame, and Paola High School Wall of Fame. He made many good friends throughout his officiating career and told wonderful stories of his adventures through sports as he traveled by car, train or plane with officiating crews.

Wink is remembered by many as a loving, caring man who did not know a stranger, and always looked for the best in others. He leaves a legacy of integrity, plus outstanding devotion to family and friends. He was loved by many and will be deeply missed.

Family will greet friends during a visitation Friday, November 9^th from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego. Private family burial will be in the Paola City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Winkler Scholarships at Baker University, Washburn Law School, or Paola High School, and may be left in care of the Stewart Funeral Home, PO Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547. Online condolences may also be left at www.stewartfuneralhomes.com