Melva Dean Gartman Winkler of Robert Lee passed from her earthly home on Wednesday, November 21, 2018.
Melva was born September 29, 1935 in Coke County, Texas and attended school in Robert Lee. Melva was a good athlete, playing four years of varsity basketball in high school. She fondly remembered being called a "Whirling Dervish" on the court by the local newspaper after one of her games.
After graduating high school, Melva married Gotthilf "Butch" Winkler on November 28, 1954 and moved to Abilene. Melva and Butch were faithful members of Zion Lutheran Church, and Melva worked many years for Abilene Radiology and Abilene State School. She enjoyed fun and fellowship with her church friends and families, and played many years of volleyball in Abilene's women's volleyball league. After Butch passed away in 1999, Melva returned to Robert Lee to be closer to her family, where she attended Robert Lee Baptist Church and was active as a member of the Senior Citizens 88 Club.
Melva married Thomas Lee on November 7, 2008. Thomas has been described by the family as "an angel who walks on earth". Thomas brought so much happiness, hope and strength to Melva and her family, and added tremendous fulfillment to Melva's life. Melva spent many years in her power wheelchair doing what she loved most - cooking, housework, visiting family and friends in Robert Lee, playing dominos and watching professional basketball and football. When asked about her health, she always answered "I see many people worse off than me. I am blessed."
Honorary pallbearers are Hayden Burleson, Parker Burleson, Randy Gartman, Blake Pitcock, Korey Pitcock, Leroy Polnick, Kevin Walker and Eric Winkler.
Melva leaves behind her husband Thomas Lee of Robert Lee; son Dan Winkler and wife Donna Ayers of Houston; sister Ann Walker and husband Curtis of Robert Lee; three grandchildren, Teri Burleson and husband Lonnie, Rachel Jackson and husband Bryan, and Eric Winkler; and two great-grandchildren Hayden Burleson and Parker Burleson.
Melva was preceded in death by her parents, Bryan Douglas and Sally Mae Gartman, husband Gotthilf "Butch" Winkler, daughter Debra Lindsey, sister Winnie Pitcock, brother Douglas Gartman and special nephew Gaylon Pitcock.
Melva was born September 29, 1935 in Coke County, Texas and attended school in Robert Lee. Melva was a good athlete, playing four years of varsity basketball in high school. She fondly remembered being called a "Whirling Dervish" on the court by the local newspaper after one of her games.
After graduating high school, Melva married Gotthilf "Butch" Winkler on November 28, 1954 and moved to Abilene. Melva and Butch were faithful members of Zion Lutheran Church, and Melva worked many years for Abilene Radiology and Abilene State School. She enjoyed fun and fellowship with her church friends and families, and played many years of volleyball in Abilene's women's volleyball league. After Butch passed away in 1999, Melva returned to Robert Lee to be closer to her family, where she attended Robert Lee Baptist Church and was active as a member of the Senior Citizens 88 Club.
Melva married Thomas Lee on November 7, 2008. Thomas has been described by the family as "an angel who walks on earth". Thomas brought so much happiness, hope and strength to Melva and her family, and added tremendous fulfillment to Melva's life. Melva spent many years in her power wheelchair doing what she loved most - cooking, housework, visiting family and friends in Robert Lee, playing dominos and watching professional basketball and football. When asked about her health, she always answered "I see many people worse off than me. I am blessed."
Honorary pallbearers are Hayden Burleson, Parker Burleson, Randy Gartman, Blake Pitcock, Korey Pitcock, Leroy Polnick, Kevin Walker and Eric Winkler.
Melva leaves behind her husband Thomas Lee of Robert Lee; son Dan Winkler and wife Donna Ayers of Houston; sister Ann Walker and husband Curtis of Robert Lee; three grandchildren, Teri Burleson and husband Lonnie, Rachel Jackson and husband Bryan, and Eric Winkler; and two great-grandchildren Hayden Burleson and Parker Burleson.
Melva was preceded in death by her parents, Bryan Douglas and Sally Mae Gartman, husband Gotthilf "Butch" Winkler, daughter Debra Lindsey, sister Winnie Pitcock, brother Douglas Gartman and special nephew Gaylon Pitcock.
Melva Dean Gartman Winkler of Robert Lee passed from her earthly home on Wednesday, November 21, 2018.
Melva was born September 29, 1935 in Coke County, Texas and attended school in Robert Lee. Melva was a good athlete, playing four years of varsity basketball in high school. She fondly remembered being called a "Whirling Dervish" on the court by the local newspaper after one of her games.
After graduating high school, Melva married Gotthilf "Butch" Winkler on November 28, 1954 and moved to Abilene. Melva and Butch were faithful members of Zion Lutheran Church, and Melva worked many years for Abilene Radiology and Abilene State School. She enjoyed fun and fellowship with her church friends and families, and played many years of volleyball in Abilene's women's volleyball league. After Butch passed away in 1999, Melva returned to Robert Lee to be closer to her family, where she attended Robert Lee Baptist Church and was active as a member of the Senior Citizens 88 Club.
Melva married Thomas Lee on November 7, 2008. Thomas has been described by the family as "an angel who walks on earth". Thomas brought so much happiness, hope and strength to Melva and her family, and added tremendous fulfillment to Melva's life. Melva spent many years in her power wheelchair doing what she loved most - cooking, housework, visiting family and friends in Robert Lee, playing dominos and watching professional basketball and football. When asked about her health, she always answered "I see many people worse off than me. I am blessed."
Honorary pallbearers are Hayden Burleson, Parker Burleson, Randy Gartman, Blake Pitcock, Korey Pitcock, Leroy Polnick, Kevin Walker and Eric Winkler.
Melva leaves behind her husband Thomas Lee of Robert Lee; son Dan Winkler and wife Donna Ayers of Houston; sister Ann Walker and husband Curtis of Robert Lee; three grandchildren, Teri Burleson and husband Lonnie, Rachel Jackson and husband Bryan, and Eric Winkler; and two great-grandchildren Hayden Burleson and Parker Burleson.
Melva was preceded in death by her parents, Bryan Douglas and Sally Mae Gartman, husband Gotthilf "Butch" Winkler, daughter Debra Lindsey, sister Winnie Pitcock, brother Douglas Gartman and special nephew Gaylon Pitcock.
Melva was born September 29, 1935 in Coke County, Texas and attended school in Robert Lee. Melva was a good athlete, playing four years of varsity basketball in high school. She fondly remembered being called a "Whirling Dervish" on the court by the local newspaper after one of her games.
After graduating high school, Melva married Gotthilf "Butch" Winkler on November 28, 1954 and moved to Abilene. Melva and Butch were faithful members of Zion Lutheran Church, and Melva worked many years for Abilene Radiology and Abilene State School. She enjoyed fun and fellowship with her church friends and families, and played many years of volleyball in Abilene's women's volleyball league. After Butch passed away in 1999, Melva returned to Robert Lee to be closer to her family, where she attended Robert Lee Baptist Church and was active as a member of the Senior Citizens 88 Club.
Melva married Thomas Lee on November 7, 2008. Thomas has been described by the family as "an angel who walks on earth". Thomas brought so much happiness, hope and strength to Melva and her family, and added tremendous fulfillment to Melva's life. Melva spent many years in her power wheelchair doing what she loved most - cooking, housework, visiting family and friends in Robert Lee, playing dominos and watching professional basketball and football. When asked about her health, she always answered "I see many people worse off than me. I am blessed."
Honorary pallbearers are Hayden Burleson, Parker Burleson, Randy Gartman, Blake Pitcock, Korey Pitcock, Leroy Polnick, Kevin Walker and Eric Winkler.
Melva leaves behind her husband Thomas Lee of Robert Lee; son Dan Winkler and wife Donna Ayers of Houston; sister Ann Walker and husband Curtis of Robert Lee; three grandchildren, Teri Burleson and husband Lonnie, Rachel Jackson and husband Bryan, and Eric Winkler; and two great-grandchildren Hayden Burleson and Parker Burleson.
Melva was preceded in death by her parents, Bryan Douglas and Sally Mae Gartman, husband Gotthilf "Butch" Winkler, daughter Debra Lindsey, sister Winnie Pitcock, brother Douglas Gartman and special nephew Gaylon Pitcock.
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