Donna Winkel

Donna Belle Winkel 83, of Fishers, IN, formerly of Clifton, IL and Melbourne, FL, passed away at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, IN on Sunday, June 15, 2014 following a short illness of cancer. Donna was born in Kankakee, IL on September 6, 1930 to parents, John F.W. and Belle Irma (Gerard) Behm. Donna worked in the Clifton Central Unit #4 School District, first as a school bus driver for nearly 10 years and later as the administrative secretary for the superintendent. For many years, she served as the church organist at Zion Lutheran in Clifton and Tropical Haven Church in Melbourne. She also enjoyed her time as a volunteer for many years at the Holmes Regional Medical Center. In her pastime, Donna loved spending time with her family, playing cards with her friends, cooking and bird watching. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and The Church at Tropical Haven. Donna was preceded in death by her husband, Edward A. Winkel, whom she married on December 4, 1948; as well as her parents, John and Belle Behm; grandson, Eric Hopkins; and sisters-in-law, Gail Behm and Pat Behm. Donna was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She will be lovingly missed by her children: Gwendolyn Hopkins (husband, Dennis), Gary Winkel (wife, Lori), Edward Winkel (wife, Linda), Christine Backer (husband, Paul), Heidi Bruemmer and Kimberly Winkel; her grandchildren, whom she adored: Andrew Winkel (Milissa), Erin Beherns (Chad), Sarah Winkel (Beau), Jason Winkel, Nathan Winkel, Abby Reyes (Joeseph) and Jeremy Winkel, Paul Backer Jr, Christopher Backer (Adri), Ben Backer (Courtney), Marina Backer, Kealand Backer, Cole Bruemmer, Grant Bruemmer, Motinola Agunbiade, and Adenike Agunbiade; great-grandchildren: Rachel and Jared Hopkins, Alexander, Bryan, Katherine and Anna Winkel, Kaitlyne and Kourtnie Beherns, and Bella and Che' Reyes; her brothers, Edward Behm, Derry Behm and Donald Behm (Karin); and her canine companion, Callie. The family will receive friends at 10:00AM until the services at 11:00AM on Saturday, July 19, 2014 at Zion Lutheran Church in Clifton. Inurnment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Chebanse, IL. Memorial contributions in Donna's memory may be made to the American Cancer Society. Condolences may be shared online at flannerbuchanan.com.