George Joseph Winkels, age 79, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on October 31, 2024, in Springfield Oregon. George was born on May 23, 1945 in Baker City, Oregon to Frank and Eva Winkels. He attended the St. Francis Academy, then joined the National Guards as a cook after he graduated high school in 1963. George moved to Springfield Oregon after his time in the National Guards. His brother-in-law Jerry Christy began training George to be a butcher. This began a lifelong career in meat cutting. In Springfield, George met the love of his life, Linda Schmidt, at the LaSalle club in 1967. George and Linda were very active in the LaSalle Club and met many of their lifelong friends. George married Linda on September 6, 1969 at St. Alice Church in Springfield, Oregon. George was a devoted catholic and very involved in the Knights of Columbus at his church.

Family was the most important thing to George. George and Linda had two daughters, Michelle and Melissa. He worked incredibly hard to give his family everything they needed. As a family, they spent countless hours camping on the Oregon coast and up in the mountains. The family spent a lot of time fishing at Odell Lake, Carmen Lake, Clear Lake and Blue Lake. George spent his life being there for everyone. If you need George, without hesitation, he would be there for you.

One of the biggest joys in George’s life were his five grandkids, Noah, Kayla, Keegan, Jackson and Emily. He made numerous trips to Washington and Nevada to spend time with these kids and watch their sports and other activities. He loved camping with the grandkids, going to the beach, especially Driftwood Shores in Florence, and always attending the annual family pumpkin patch trip.

George’s next love was fishing. George loved both salmon and trout fishing. After he retired, he would spend July through October in Winchester Bay, Oregon. He had a special group of friends that camped and fished together each year. George made his own lures and was known around Winchester Bay for the quality of his lures. George also loved gardening. Every spring he planted a large garden in his backyard. He took a lot of pride in his garden and often shared his vegetables with family and friends.

George was proceeded in death by his wife Linda Winkels, his parents, Frank and Eva Winkels, his brother, Ted Winkels, his sisters, Dolores Winkels, Betty Shrum, Mary, Francis and Joanne Christy. George is survived by his daughter Michelle Dooley and son-in-law Michael Dooley of Yakima, Washington, his daughter Melissa Green of Incline Village Nevada, his grandkids, Noah Dooley, Kayla Green, Keegan Dooley, Jackson Green and Emily Dooley. And his sisters Eunice Winkels, Shirley Long and Donna Sherman.

The funeral service will be held on January 18, 2025 at St. Paul’s Catholic church in Eugene, Oregon. The service will begin at one at 1 PM. There will be a rosary preceding the service at 12:15 PM. A luncheon will follow.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Pete Moore Hospice House in Eugene, Oregon.

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