Victor Winkel

Victor A. Winkel, age 95 of Harbor Beach, passed away Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at McLaren Thumb Region. He was born on April 29, 1927 in Harbor Beach to the late Franz and Marie (Lull) Winkel. He grew up in Harbor Beach and graduated from Harbor Beach High School in 1944 at the age of 17. His favorite sport in school was basketball as he always talked about his hook shot, which he even demonstrated to his great and great great nieces and nephews at his 95th birthday party this past April. Immediately after his graduation he began his career as a Merchant Seaman on board the Str. A.F. Harvey where he worked his first season on the Great Lakes, then went into Army Troops Transports for two and half years on Ocean Transports. From there he went back to the Great Lakes and sailed thru the 1963 season and had attained the position of 2nd mate on bulk freighters before leaving the Great Lakes. He returned to Harbor Beach and started working at Dawes and then later G.D. Searles and NutraSweet. Victor was a huge source of information about Harbor Beach history and loved anything Maritime. The Winkel family tree was important to him as was his German Heritage. After his retirement, he enjoyed golfing and fishing in Harbor Beach, St. Helen and Dade City, Florida. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Harbor Beach, he also attended Hope Lutheran Church in St. Helen. He was a former member of the St. Helen American Legion Post 416 and currently a member of the Harbor Beach American Legion Post 197 where he was their last World War II Veteran. He is survived by a nephew: Michael (Ardith) Odinga of Texas, Nieces: Mary Jo Lovejoy of Harbor Beach, Lori (Special Friend Pat Banker) Lovejoy of Harbor Beach, Geri (Ed) Lochrie of Harbor Beach, Pattie (Jeff) Braun of Bad Axe, many great and great great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Henry Winkel, Helmuth Winkel and Gerhard Winkel, sisters: Gerda Odinga, Ruth Lovejoy, nephews: John Odinga and Jesse (Skip) Lovejoy. Funeral Services for Victor will be Monday, August 1, 2022 at 11 am at Zion Lutheran Church of Harbor Beach, with Rev. Matthew Durance officiating. Burial will follow at Rock Falls Cemetery. Visitation for Victor will be on Monday, at the church beginning at 9:30 am until time of services at 11 am. Arrangements are being handled by the Ramsey Funeral Home of Harbor Beach. Memories can be shared at www.RamseyFH.com

Victor Winkel

April 29, 1927 - July 26, 2022