Kenneth Winkler

Kenneth R. WinklerJanuary 28, 1934 – May 4, 2014Ken was born in an area of Clay County, MO that would later become a part of Gladstone. He had very humble beginnings; raised by his Grandparents, moving many times during his childhood, though he always stayed within the state of Missouri. Ken graduated from Butler High School in 1951 and moved to Kansas City. He was then introduced by his cousin to the love of his life, Shirley. She was 15. They married November 14, 1954 in North Kansas City, MO. He was drafted into the Army in 1956 and served proudly until 1958. During this time they welcomed their only child, Debi. He was hired at the Ford Claycomo Assembly plant in 1961, spending his entire career in the Traffic Department. Several positions later, he retired as Logistics manager in 1991. In 1989 he met the light of his life, when his Granddaughter and namesake, Kenra was born, and became her "Daddy-Dad". Ken was an avid blood donor and donated over 100 gallons over the course of his life to save others. He was very active in the Methodist church, and taught Sunday School, starting with preteens when Debi was young, and progressed to eventually leading "Holy Goer" senior class. He volunteered tirelessly for many things; one of his favorite being Mental Health. He was on the Board of Directors of Tri County Mental Health and aided in the fundraising for the Current Human Services building in Clay County, serving many positions including board president. He also served on the National Council for Mental Health and the Clay Platte Ray Levy Board. He was also passionate about his community, serving Gladstone on the Planning Commission, Special Road District, and City Council. He served one term as Mayor of Gladstone from April 1988 to April 1989. At age 70, Ken became a licensed Pastor in the Methodist Church after being an active Lay Speaker for several years. With this new title, he helped form a worship service at Wexford Place on Sunday evenings, which he continued to enjoy until a series of strokes began affecting his memory. He was always the fix it and "go to" guy for anyone that needed help in the neighborhood, or church. Through all of these accomplishments he was still a "Family First" kind of guy. He was the rock of the family, for both his immediate and extended family. In 2005, he brought Loretta Weiss, Shirley's mother, into their home and continued to assist in her care until she died in 2013 at age 102. Ken loved his family more than anything, and was the rock, heart and soul of it. He was preceded in death by his mother, Vivian Odom, his grandparents, Shirley's parents, Elmer and Loretta Weiss and numerous uncles and cousins. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Shirley, his daughter Debi Winkler-Ebling (Jerry) of Gladstone, and Granddaughter Kenra Whitten (Caleb) of Jacksonville, Florida.Visitation will be 6-8 pm Friday May 9th at Mount Moriah Terrace Park Funeral Home. Services will be 2 pm Saturday May 10th at Mount Moriah Terrace Park Funeral Home, with burial in Mount Moriah Terrace Park Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, contributions should be made to NorthCare Hospice or the First United Methodist Church of North Kansas City. Ken, Dad, Daddy-Dad: your passing leaves a void in our hearts and lives that no one will ever be able to fill, but we are comforted in knowing you are now in Heaven to watch over us. We will love you forever!Arrangements under the direction of Mount Moriah Terrace Park Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.

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