Cleve R. Winkel

1932 - 2025

Cleve R Winkel passed away on December 20, 2025, in North Logan, Utah. He was born on March 20, 1932, in Logan, Utah, to Anton G. and Clella Luke Winkel. He lived most of his youth throughout Oregon and attended and graduated from Redmond Union High School.

At Utah State Agricultural College (USU), he earned Bachelor of Science and Master's degrees, 1954 and 1955, respectively. Through the ROTC program, he received an officer commission in the U.S. Army in 1955 and served 18 months in South Korea. In 1970 he was awarded a Ph.D. degree from BYU in Provo, Utah.

Cleve married Vera Stevens on June 1, 1955, in the Logan Temple. They raised 9 children, Steven, Von, Julann, Bryan, Laren, Janeen, Marlynn, Arla and Amy. He was employed by Ricks College (BYU-Idaho) in Rexburg, Idaho, where he taught chemistry and served in administration for 37 years.

After Cleve's retirement from Ricks College in 1996, they moved to an acreage in Paradise, Utah, where they lived for 16 years. In 2012, they moved to North Logan.

Cleve was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served in many leadership positions including bishop, high councilman, and enjoyed many teaching callings. He also served for many years as an ordinance worker in the Logan LDS Temple and as a missionary at the Family History Center and the Special-Needs LDS Seminary.

He found satisfaction in doing research and writing, especially in the fields of science, religion and family history. This resulted in many documents written by him and shared with family and others.

He had a strong work ethic and lovingly instilled that in his children. He grew many large vegetable gardens, built homes, barns and creating fun yards for his grandchildren to enjoy.

He loved music, having played trumpet in his early life, and enjoyed singing in quartets, choirs and with family. He especially enjoyed listening to good music.

Both he and Vera felt their greatest achievement was their rearing of nine wonderful children, four sons and 5 daughters. On June 1, 2025, they celebrated 70 years of a great marriage.

He is survived by his wife, Vera, and eight children: Steven (Tammy), Rexburg; ID, Von, Mesquite, NV; Julann (Lester) Blake, Rexburg, ID; Bryan (Cherylin), Spanish Fork, UT; Laren (Sherri), Highland, UT; Janeen (Larry) Fluckiger, Highland, UT; Marlynn (David) Hunter, Kaysville, UT; Amy (Bob) Hart, West Jordan, UT; 52 grandchildren, 70 great-grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren and 4 step-great grandchildren; three brothers: Bob, Ken, and Ron Winkel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Gary, two sisters, Verlene Tanner and Toni Handy, one daughter and her husband, Arla and Paul Gibbons, one daughter-in-law, Sierra Jane Winkel, and one infant great-granddaughter, Gracee.

Viewing:

9:00-10:30 AM - Friday, January 2026

Funeral services:

11:00 AM - Friday, January 2, 2026

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

2540 North 400 East

North Logan, Utah

Funeral services will be recorded and available at nelsonfuneralhome.com a few hours following.

Interment will be in the Logan City Cemetery.