Richard L. Van Winkle

Richard L. Van Winkle, 76, of Beatrice, died Thursday night, Dec. 22, 2011, in Beatrice.

He was born March 31, 1935, at Armour and baptized June 8, 1947, at the Congregational Church of Liberty.  He graduated from Liberty High School in 1953.  He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 until 1955 and was stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict.  On Feb. 22, 1957,  he married Doris Jurgens at St. John Lutheran Church of rural Barneston.  They made their home in Beatrice where he owned and operated Van Winkle Construction Company.  He was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church, lifetime member of Bitting-Norman Post 27 of the American Legion and Geddes-Thober Post 1077 Veteran of Foreign Wars, Aerie 619 Fraternal Order of Eagles, Masonic Lodge for fifty years and several Shriner organizations.  He enjoyed Nebraska football, hunting, reading, traveling, his various collections, spending time at the family cabin and socializing with friends.

Survivors include his wife, Doris Van Winkle of Beatrice; two sons, Brett Van Winkle and Jeff Van  Winkle both of Beatrice; two daughters, Beth Van Winkle and husband Robert Messing of Beatrice and Jann Jensen and husband Richard of Washington, Kan.; three grandchildren, Jeri Chandler and husband Michael of Washington, Kan., and Jared and Natalie Van Winkle of Beatrice; five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mary Glenn and husband Stirling of Beatrice and Sandra Hohn of Lincoln; two aunts, Jean West and Hope Borden; three sisters-in-law, Alice Meints, Ruth Hroch and husband Ernest and Mitsuko Jurgens all of Beatrice; several nieces and nephews.

 He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald (Mike) and Philecta Borden Van Winkle, grandson, Jackson Lee Logan, brother, Boyd Van Winkle and his wife Evelyn, an infant sister and three brothers-in-law, Bob Hohn, Fred Meints and Eugene Jurgens.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, at Centenary United Methodist Church with Rev. Jonathan Bailey officiating.  Inurnment of the cremains will be at the Evergreen Home Cemetery of Beatrice at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday with military graveside honors conducted by Bitting-Norman Post 27 of the American Legion.  Cremation has taken place and there will be no viewing.  A register book for signatures will be available at the Fox Funeral Home from 8 a.m. Thursday until 9 p.m. Friday and then at the church one hour preceding the service on Saturday.  A memorial has been established to the family's choice.  A guestbook for signatures and messages of condolence is also available online at www.foxfuneralhome.net.  Fox Funeral Home of Beatrice is in charge of the arrangements.