John "Dale" VanWinkle, 61 of Chatsworth lost his battle with COPD at 10:36 am Monday, October 18, 2010 at his residence in Chatsworth surrounded by family and friends.

Cremation rites have been accorded and a memorial service will be held at 2 pm Saturday, October 23, 2010 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury. Friends may greet the family one hour prior to the service. The Tarbolton Masonic Lodge #351, Fairbury will conduct a Masonic service at the conclusion of the service.

Mr. VanWinkle was born January 14, 1949 in Milwaukee, WI the son of John and Grace (Dalton) VanWinkle. He married Rhonda Strickland on September 26, 1984 in Clayton County, GA. She survives in Chatsworth.

Also surviving are two sons, Christopher (Melissa Harrell) VanWinkle, Bloomington and Brandon VanWinkle, Chatsworth.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents and his beloved cat of 20 years "Kee Kee".

Dale was a workaholic; he spent almost 25 years working for Belle City Amusements and then was a devoted Owner Operator for Nussbaum Trucking Inc. for the next 20 years before being forced into early retirement due to his illness. He then attempted to continue to work with his deteriorating health at Casey's in Chatsworth for over a year until he just could not continue.

He was a member of the Tarbolton Masonic Lodge #351, Fairbury; the Red Fez Shrine Club, Pontiac; along with many other Shiner's clubs and organizations. Dale had a vast amount of friends he considered family and he will be missed by many and will forever be loved.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the family of John Dale VanWinkle.