Herbert A. Winkel

Herbert August Winkel, 93, of Harbor Beach was called to his heavenly home Saturday, July 2, 2005. He died at Port Huron Hospital following a short illness. Herbert, `Herb` was born on January 6, 1912 in Sand Beach, MI to August and Anna Bertha (Papke) Winkel. He lived his entire life in Huron County. He married Ferne Bills at the Onaway Episcopal Church on January 19, 1941. The couple often commented on how thankful they were that their marriage was not as stormy as the day they wed. The minister almost did not make it to the church and Herb recalled that he had started the church furnace and shoveled the church driveway himself that day. On his last birthday, neighbors witnessed him using the snow blower to clear his driveway and that of a neighbor. Herb and his wife managed a combination dairy, crop farming operation on Learman Road until 1985 when they retired to their home in Harbor Beach. Herb had served on the school board of Cooper country school that had been located on M142 near Finkel Road, and he was a member of the Michigan Farm Bureau for several years. He had been a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Harbor Beach and a member of the Harbor Beach Retirees. He loved gardening and working in his yard until the last year when as he put it, `I`m not quite 100 percent,` when asked about his health. Herb enjoyed playing cards and visiting with friends and neighbors. He had a good memory and loved to share stories about people and situations in his life. Survivors include Ferne, his wife of 64 years and two children: Julie and her husband, Jerry Elsenheimer, of Troy, Michigan; and Randall and his wife, Terry, of Shelby Township, Michigan. Other survivors include four sisters-in-law, a brother-in-law and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Ernest; and three sisters, Hilda Schulenburg, Gertrude Gessert; and Dorothy Anschultz. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 8, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church with the Rev. Mark Girardin, pastor, officiating. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach and at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of services. A scripture service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, Zion Lutheran School and Harbor Beach Community Hospital

Herbert A. Winkel

January 6, 1912 - July 2, 2005