Norbert William (Wink) Winkler, 93, of Traverse City, passed away on Friday, June 24, 2016 at Munson Medical Center. Born July 15, 1922 in Grant County, Wisconsin to Olive Hoffman and Leo Winkler, he is survived by his wife Janet, children Virginia Schafer, Deborah, Cynthia Bates, Stephen, Michael (Cathy), Mark, Jane, Ann (Mark) Pytell, and Jeffrey (Janine), sisters Ruth Bergdoll, Kathryn Kuster, and Mary Franklin, and many grandchildren, great- grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by brothers Donald, Harlan, and Gerald, sisters Bernadette Mason and Geraldine Vaasen, wife Florence M. Davenport, and grandson Curtis Pytell.
Wink earned a double Bachelors degree in Engineering and Forestry, with a Masters degree in Forestry from Michigan State University. He worked tirelessly to provide for nine children, and built, owned, and operated Traverse Saw Service for 59 years, inventing guide bar technology which was used by Homelite®. In addition, Wink was an avid bluegill fisherman at his beloved Mud Lake, using worms he raised himself. A founder and lifetime member of the Traverse Region Conservation Club on Norton Road, he was instrumental in go-carting and archery programs throughout the 1960s and 70s. Wink enjoyed gardening, boat restoration, and camping and fishing trips to the Upper Peninsula and Canada with family and friends.
Wink served in the United States Army European Theater during World War II, earning the Purple Heart with five small stars in addition to the Silver Star. He landed at Omaha Beach with the 79th First Army Division under General Bradley on June 12, 1944. He was wounded June 14. The 79th Division, with the Free French Army, liberated Strasburg and captured the German 12th Army on Thanksgiving Day, 1944. Wink was wounded twice by mortar fire in these battles. Wink was wounded and earned the Silver Star on December 16, 1944 at the French German border near Lauterberg. While disarming a land mine, Wink was again wounded and returned to the United States in the spring of 1945.
Wink lived life to the fullest.
Memorials in Wink's name may be directed to the Northwestern Michigan College Foundation, 1701 East Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49686. A private family service will be held at a later date.