Joy Winkler

Joy F. Winkler, 92, of Delavan peacefully passed away surrounded by her family Thursday, January 23rd, 2025 at Apostolic Christian Restmor in Morton, Illinois.

She was born December 31st, 1932 in Delavan to F. Cecil Ray and Frances Tammeus Ray. She married Malcolm Winkler on September 10th, 1950 in Delavan. They were married for 70 years.

She is survived by her four children, Michael (Patsy) Winkler, Jan Winkler (Gail Strunk), Tim (Connie) Winkler, and Karen (Robert) Valouche, all of Delavan; five grandchildren, Michelle (Marc), Tara (Rich), Adam, Cory, and Kelsey; eight great grandchildren, Dylan, Trace, Cole, Emma, Tori, Tanner, Nora, and Anna; and three nieces and three nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Malcolm Winkler, parents Cecil and Frances Ray, sister Lois Lillibridge, and granddaughter Bridget Winkler.

Joy graduated from Delavan High School in 1950.  She spent the early years of her marriage as a homemaker on the family farm, raising their four children. When Karen began elementary school, Joy began to work outside of the home at Perk-Up in Delavan, Hartzler’s in Delavan, and then Witzig’s in Morton for 17 years. 

Joy was a very active participant in both church and community activities.  She was the last founding member of Christ Lutheran Church that was established in 1957.  She served as church secretary at Christ and additionally aided in countless meals, fund raisers, and events.  She loved her church and served the Lord to the fullest during her life. Joy also was involved in the Delavan Alumni Board, Delavan PTO, Farm Bureau Prime Timers, and was chairman of the Women’s Committee of Farm Bureau for many years.  Joy was a member of Tazewell County Farm Bureau for over forty years. 

Joy loved her family deeply and was devoted to her faith.  She loved to host and cook for family and friends throughout the years. Joy was very well known to be found piddling in her flower gardens and took pride in making things beautiful.  Joy loved to shop, plan birthday and holiday parties for all of her family and loved taking walks on the farm road.  She and Malcolm enjoyed traveling, with numerous trips to Petosky to visit the Culbertsons, Florida where they spent many winters, and out west to Amarillo, Texas, New Mexico, and the Rocky Mountains in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. In her later years, Joy and Malcolm became “groupies” and followed Jan and Gail in their banjo performances and U-High volleyball with Karen and Kelsey. Joy and Malcolm enjoyed their weekly coffee stops with Mike and Patsy after church, and their daily interactions with Tim on farm business.  Her family and faith were her everything, and she loved every minute she could spend with family that all lived so close in “Winklerville”, with someone popping into the house daily for a visit.

We would like to say thank you to those who helped Joy through her final few years. After Malcolm passed away, Joy was able to stay in her home with the help of Megan, Nichole, and Lynn. That year was a blessing to all of us.  We would also like to thank Apostolic Christian Restmor-Evergreen, where Joy spent the last year of her life. All of the staff, so caring and loving to mom, will live in our memories forever. 

She was a “Joy” to all her knew her and will be so deeply missed.

Her funeral will be at 11:00 am Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at Christ Lutheran Church in Delavan.  Pastor David Ehlers will officiate.  Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:45 am Tuesday at the church.  Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.  Davis-Oswald Funeral Home in Delavan is handling the arrangements.

Memorials may be to Christ Lutheran Church in Delavan, Illinois.

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