Vernal Winkle

Winkle, Vernal, age 90 of Blanchester Ohio passed away Thursday February 20th after a year long battle with cancer. He was born on June 21, 1923 in McRoberts Ky , son of the late Jeff and Carlie (Fike) Winkle. During WWII Vern joined the United States Navy where he was a gunner's mate on the USS San Diego, being a ship that earned 18 battle stars for her WWII service. During his duty aboard this ship, Vern was credited with spotting and shooting down a Japanese fighter plane that was attacking his ship causing the enemy plane to crash into the side of the USS Missouri. Amazingly this action was photographed and has since become an official record in naval battle history. Following his military service Vern took on many types of jobs before becoming a business owner where he opened up and ran several service/mechanic stations in Dayton and Vandalia Ohio . Many still remember Vern's Mobil station that was located in Vandalia on National Rd where that same building is now Grismer Tire. While running his Mobil station Vern became an active member of the Vandalia Butler Township Fire Department where he later became a Vandalia Police Officer. Vern retired from duty after a very successful career having attained the rank of Sergeant. Vern was an active member and past post commander of the Vandalia American Legion Post 668 and a member of the Vandalia Masonic Lodge # 742. Vern was a man that could do about anything with his hands. He enjoyed a multitude of hobbies which included everything from bee keeping to BBQ. Simply put he was a man that enjoyed doing or planning something every day of his long rewarding life. Preceded in death by 3 brothers and 2 sisters Vern is survived by his lifelong companion Karen Winkle; his children Gloria Eaton (Larry) of Lewisburg, Vern Winkle Jr (Dorothy) of CA, Bernedette Gitzinger of FL, Dan Winkle (Jan) of Clayton, Don Winkle (Teri) of Vandalia and Millie Terrell of Troy; one brother Buell Winkle; 2 sisters Lona Peters and Violet Lane and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held Friday February 28 at 10:30am at the Morton & Whetstone Funeral Home 139 S. Dixie Dr. Vandalia with Rev Estel Hall officiating. Burial will follow at Poplar Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 4-7pm. If so desired, contributions may be made to the Hospice of your choice in Vern's memory.