In Memory of

Leland

"Jerry"

Winkler

Obituary for Leland "Jerry" Winkler

Leland "Jerry" Winkler of Basking Ridge NJ died September 8, 2018 after losing his battle with cancer. He was 79.
Jerry was born June 6, 1939 in Plainfield, NJ the son of the late Helen (Hottenstein) Winkler and Leland Elliot Winkler.
Jerry graduated from Plainfield High School, Plainfield, NJ in 1957 and Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA in 1961 with a degree in business. While at Muhlenberg he was inducted into the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. He loved playing guitar and working on the sets for many of the college theater productions.
After graduation he bought the landmark Westfield Hotel, Westfield, NJ which he renovated and while doing so enhanced his carpentry and painting skills. Through this experience and his love for working with tools led him to start his own remodeling business specializing in the restoration of old houses.
In 1964 he met and married his wife Barbara and they purchased the 200 year old stone house in Basking Ridge, NJ. They spent many years restoring their home which was featured in many publications and house tours.
After retiring, he worked at Lowes for ten years in their tool and hardware department where he continued his love for wood working.
He also served in the Army National Guard of New Jersey as a Staff Sergeant in the Communications division.
Jerry is survived by his wife Barbara (Starr) Winkler, his two daughters Kimberly and her husband John Yue, Robyn and her husband Paul Stasko and a granddaughter, Brittany Yue.
Visitation will be Friday, September 14, 2018 from 6-8 PM at the Valley Memorial Funeral Home, 1012 Valley Rd., Gillette, NJ, and Saturday September 15, 2018 from
10-11 AM. A Funeral Service will be held Saturday 11:00 AM at the Funeral Home. Disposition will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or St. Jude’s Children's Hospital. For more information and online condolences visit valleymemorialfuneralhome.net