Obituary

JACK H. WINKLER, 70 ROCKFORD - Jack H. Winkler, 70, of Rockford died Wednesday, July 16, 2014, following a short illness. Jack was born August 13, 1943, in East Chicago, IN; the son of Virgil and Nancy (Tomenellie) Winkler, Sr. He attended Rockford East High School, where he completed 2 years of JROTC, graduating in 1961. Following graduation, he served in the US Navy until 1964, where he worked as a radio operator on the USS Arcadia, stationed in New Port, RI. Jack married Kathy Lowling on September 13, 1970. For 20 years Jack owned and operated the Stadium Lounge, Rockford's original sports bar and home to the biggest burger in town. Jack was a diehard Cardinal fan and ate, slept and breathed Cardinals baseball. He bled Cardinal red til the day he died. He is survived by his wife, Kathy and their 3 daughters, Melanie (William) Grobe, Kim Winkler, Raven (Corey Black) Winkler; son, John (Carrol) Winkler; sister-in-law, Maryanne Bruckner; special nephews, Joe (Del Ray Simmons) Bruckner, Sean/Bear (Elaine) Bruckner; 3 brothers, Virgil/Buddy (Sandy) Winkler, Jr., Ronald/P-Nut (Pamela) Winkler, Rick Winkler; 2 sisters, Barb (David) Vincer, Kathy (Bruce) Theden; 6 grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; special granddog, Chipper Jones, who he loved eating pizza and watching baseball with. He is predeceased by his parents; daughter, Marisa; brother, August; and grandparents, Jasper and Bernadetta Tomenellie. A special thanks to Northern Illinois Hospice, the nurses and CNA's in the cardinal neighborhood at Riverbluff Nursing Home, Brian from Trade Rite and the Blackhawk Athletic Club. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 22, 2014, in Honquest Family Funeral Homes with Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 4311 N. Mulford Road, Loves Park. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, July 21, 2014, in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the family.