Keith A. Winkel

Keith A. Winkel, 92 of Gaylord, passed away Saturday, May 19, 2018 at Bay Bluffs in Harbor Springs.

Born on July 11, 1925 in Harbor Beach, Keith was the son of Herman and Elsie (Laeder) Winkel.  He grew up in the Pigeon area and was a 1943 graduate of Pigeon High School.

On April 22, 1950, Keith married Frances M. Adams in Berne, MI.  Keith’s work took them to a number of communities early in their marriage.  In 1956 they moved to Kalkaska where Keith went to work as a lineman with Top O’ Michigan Rural Electric (now Great Lakes Energy).  In 1959 the family moved to Gaylord where Keith continued with Top O’ Michigan, retiring in 1987.

Primarily a hard worker and a family man, he enjoyed fishing, bowling, horseshoes and playing cards.  He was a longtime member of Gaylord Eagles #1825 and the Gaylord Lions Club, where he was a past president.  Keith and Fran enjoyed traveling, having been to every state except Hawaii.

In addition to Fran, his wife of 68 years; Keith is survived by his children, David (Jean) Winkel of Gaylord, Julie (Charlie) Lovelace of Gaylord and Jerry (Jan) Winkel of Santa Rosa, CA; a son-in-law, Chris Hansen of Gaylord; grandchildren, Celeste, Trevor, Kimberly, Brent, Mallorie, Samantha, Jamie and Jesse; great grandchildren, Zachary, Paige, Bailey, Dylan, Emmy, Grayson, Gerald and Killian; a sister, Barbara Schmidt of Owendale and a brother, Ray (Bernadine) Winkel of Kalamazoo as well as several nieces and nephews.  Keith was preceded in death by a daughter, Karen Hansen in 2014.

A private family memorial service will be held at Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service and interment will be at Fairview Cemetery.  Those who wish are asked to consider memorial contributions in his memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospitals or Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Arrangements are by Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service.  Please share your memories and personal messages with the family at www.gaylordfuneralhome.com