He was born in Holland and moved to the United States serving two tours in Vietnam as a paratrooper and Airborne Ranger before becoming a US citizen. He was very proud of his military service in the Army and was highly decorated having medals and commendations including: Silver Star, 2 Purple Hearts, Bronze Star with “V” device, 2 Air Medals, Army Commendation Medal, 2 Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, 2 Vietnam Campaign Medals, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Combat Infantry Badge and Parachutist Badge. After his military service, he worked and retired from TVA as a Senior Nuclear Instrumentation Engineer.
As a father, he was unparalleled in his devotion to his children and grandchildren whether walking a fussy baby down the street after working a long shift, working double shifts to give his children the best education possible or to raise them to be strong, independent, hard-working and honest. At an age where he should be able to retire, he adopted three daughters to give them the best model of what a father ought to be.
He was an active member of Lupton Drive Baptist Church. He loved cheering on the choir and pouring his heart and mind into teaching his Sunday School Class. He rarely, if ever, missed a church service and it was his favorite place to be away from home. He was also a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and life member of the Vietnam Veterans of America.
Ed was a dedicated husband, father and friend who gave 110% to everything he set his mind to doing. He was always doing something, somewhere, for someone and there was no one with a bigger heart. He would start each day waking early, cheerful and turning on all the lights of the house to the chagrin of the household of night owls. When he was not working around the house or reading some kind of book, he loved to share his Mario Lonza playlist and news network at loud volumes claiming to “share it with the neighborhood.” He was a man who knew both the truest sorrow and the greatest joy and lived each day with purpose. He will be missed by his family, friends and community and we hold dear the memories we made with him as we aspire to walk in his shadow and perpetuate the goodness he gave the world. He loved his family and loved the Lord and wanted to share Jesus with everyone.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Elizabeth Campbell, father, Laurentius Winkelman; father-in-law, Richard Karr.
Ed leaves behind his wife, Sheryl Winkelman, mother-in-law, Yvonne Karr; family members, Valerie (Scott) Gallups, Paul (Sarai) Winkelman, Kathryn Winkelman, Aaron (Tracy) Lofty, Savannah Winkelman, Lucy Reyes; grandchildren, Jordan and Cassie Gallups, Gabriel and Samuel Lofty, Preston, Sean and Shelby Winkelman; siblings, Tony (Marci) Winkelman, Mario (Gail) Winkelman, Elizabeth (Mike) Walters, Larry Winkelman, John Winkelman, and Rosemary (Phil) Baron; numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 pm on Thursday, December 17, at Lupton Drive Baptist Church, 859 Lupton Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37415.
A Celebration of Ed’s life will be held at 9 am on Friday, at the Lupton Drive Baptist Church.
Burial will be in Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, Ed would want you to make a memorial contribution to the Wounded Warrior Project @ www.woundedwarriorproject.org something that was close to Ed’s heart.
We respectfully request that "social distancing", wearing masks at all times, and all CDC measures be followed at the church and cemetery.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.
