James "Mike" Michael Van Winkle

Crossing the finish line after a long, winding race, Mike Van Winkle is now cruising around heaven in his 1957 Corvette. James Michael Van Winkle passed on May 19, 2026, in Fort Wayne, Indiana after fighting Parkinson’s Disease for many years.

Mike came into this world on June 23, 1940, in Grant County, Indiana. Born to his parents James Van Winkle and Margaret Ann Mathewson Van Winkle David, Mike was the beloved big brother of Rebecca Van Winkle Evans (Alexandria, VA). After his 1958 graduation from Madison Heights High School, Anderson, Indiana, Mike cruised down to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville to become a life-long Volunteer. Mike met his future wife, Demaris Ann Marshall Van Winkle (Fort Wayne, IN), while classmates in a political science class called Propaganda and Psychological Warfare. We all still laugh about this fun fact, and celebrate they almost made it to their 62nd wedding anniversary, which would have been on June 20, 2026.

Mike and Dee’s favorite and greatest accomplishment together was the family they grew and loved with all their hearts. Mike’s three beloved daughters Michelle Van Winkle Steward (Kokomo, IN), Kelly Van Winkle Schimmele (Fort Wayne, IN), and Marianne Van Winkle (Indianapolis, IN) are joined in grief and celebration by sons-in-law Jeff Steward and Grant Schimmele; grandchildren Sarah Steward Rojas, Emma Steward, Reese Schimmele, and Cameron Schimmele; grandson-in-law Matt Rojas; great grandsons Levi Rojas, Braylen Steward, and Noah Rojas; many beloved nieces and nephews; and the entire Van Winkle clan.

Mike and Dee raised their family in Kokomo and Rochester, IN. He traveled up and down highway 31 every day in the summers, commuting between his long-time job at Delco Electronics and his treasured Lake Manitou a-frame cottage. Countless church retreats, friends, and family members joined Mike in lake and boating fun, including his legendary dry-land waterskiing lessons. Mike and Dee often opened their hearts and home to their daughters’ friends. Their devotion to family connection was evident in their annual family trips to Miami, Florida, where Dee’s family resided.

Mike and Dee were long-time members of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Kokomo and the FaHoCha Sunday School class. Mike was known widely as the “Pickle Man” for leading the FaHoCa Class’s annual Sechler’s Pickles sale, raising funds for kids going to camp and missionaries around the world. He was also known as an avid car and racing fan, owning multiple sports cars in his lifetime and traveling to many races as a fan and sometimes as a reporter. Mike was a proud member of the Delco Electronics Corvette Club and the Porsche Club of America.

Later in life, Mike loved spending winters in Florida, watching his races on tv, family meals and game nights, being a part of the First Christian Church, Rochester, congregation, and fighting Parkinson's Disease while participating in multiple Rock Steady Boxing groups. Mike wanted everyone he met to know about the amazing care and benefits he experienced with Rock Steady Boxing.

Mike will be missed for the smile that was hard to earn, as the disorganized efficiency expert, as the Papa that was very proud of his grandkids and great grandkids, as the Dad that loved his girls, as the brother who could only be called Michael Doodle by his sister, and as the husband that built a loving, loud, sometimes crazy, and close family with his wife. Mike Van Winkle, the checkered flag is yours. You may now take your victory lap in heaven.

There will be a celebration of life for Mike on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 11:00am at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home, 2097 W. Alto Rd., Kokomo; friends may visit with Mike's family from 10am until the time of service. Inurnment will take place immediately after the service at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery.