Porter Vanwinkle

On March 6, 1964, God sent a precious angel to William L. and Wilma Jean Van Winkle, and on October 7, 2009, God called him home. Porter Clayton Van Winkle, 45, passed from earth on this day into the loving arms of his Savior where he joined his father, Bill, in Heaven. He is survived by his loving mother, Wilma, of the home, his sisters and brother-in-laws Patricia and Tim Carlin of Sherman, Texas; Peggy and Paul Kilhefner, Tulsa, Oklahoma; Paula and Darrel Gulick, Leavenworth, Kansas; Pamela and Leon Williamson of the home, and Penny Heathman of Coffeyville. He is also survived by nieces and nephews that loved him very much. As an eternal child, Porter loved watching them grow and playing with them from infants to adulthood, and then watching their children grow. They are Jason Pratt of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Jennifer and Eric Moody and family of Jenks, Oklahoma; Teresa and Steve Harmon and family of Denison, Texas; Barbara and Jeff McCartney and family of Coffeyville, Kansas, Wesley and Kristen Carlin and family of Sherman, Texas; Leon A Williamson of Coffeyville; Paul Heathman of Independence, Candice Heathman of Independence; Peggy and Levi McIntire and family of Coffeyville, Kansas; Zachary Gulick of Leavenworth, Kansas, Krystal Gulick of Leavenworth, Kansas; and Michael Heathman of California. Porter was a very special child of God that brought love and joy to his family. He attended Verdigris Valley Association for Retarded Children and later Tri-County Special Education in Independence, Kansas until he was eighteen. He was a source of pride and a constant companion to his parents. When his father passed away, he helped to fill the void in his mothers heart. Porter was an active member of St. Pauls Episcopal Church. The greatest highlight of his week was attending church and listening to Father Jerry. Then going out to eat with h is mother and sister Pam. We would like to thank everyone who knew Porter, especially the members of St. Pauls, who accepted him whole heartedly and loved him as much as we do. When the tears come and your hearts feel heavy, remember his wonderful laugh, and crooked smile, and that hes at peace with his heavenly father and his daddy in heaven waiting for the time when we can all be together again. Friends and family visitation will be Monday, October 12, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 2405 Woodland Avenue, Coffeyville. Service will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at St. Pauls Episcopal Church with Father Jerry Adinolfi officiating. The family suggests memorials to St. Pauls Episcopal Church. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.penwellgabelcoffeyville.com.