Jim D. Winkelbauer
Jim D. Winkelbauer, 81, of La Palma, passed away Saturday evening, October 28, 2023, in Buena Park, California. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Irenaeus Catholic Church, 5201 Evergreen Avenue, Cypress, California. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to www.choc.org or https://stjudememorialfoundation.org
Jim was born June 14, 1942, in Dahlgren, Illinois to Harold and Wanda Winkelbauer and was the eldest of five children. Growing up in Illinois, Jim attended St. Anne’s Catholic School and Church where he served as an altar boy. He graduated from United Township High School in East Moline, Illinois, and after graduation, worked as an electrical draftsman for Montgomery Elevator Co. On May 9, 1964, he married his high school sweetheart, Phyllis Hailey. Their marriage was blessed with two daughters and a son. Jim loved his wife and family beyond measure and always gave them endless love and support. Jim and Phyllis loved to travel, especially cruising, and visited Europe, Asia and Australia. Jim also loved their trips to Hawaii and Mexico, visiting there almost every year.
While living in Illinois during the 60s and 70s, Jim was a business owner with his brothers, Jerry and Ed, and built homes in his spare time with his brothers and best friend, Earl Rusk. Jim was an avid sportsman and loved golfing, bowling, flying, fishing and hunting. In 1977, Jim and his family moved to California where he worked for Hall Bros. Construction Co. in Lawndale. He became a member of the Gardena “50” Lions Club and served as president and chaired many golf tournaments to raise money for Lions charities. He flew his own airplane for pleasure and visited friends and family around the country. Jim was a member and volunteer pilot of Angel Flight West, flying patients for medical treatments and chairing many Angel Flight golf tournaments to raise funds. While at Hall Bros. Jim obtained a general contractor’s license and in 1992, opened his own business, Crest Construction Co., in Buena Park. Up to the time of his death, he continued to be open for business and specialized in commercial renovations and residential remodeling. There was always a client waiting for him to complete the current job so he could begin theirs. Jim took great pride in doing things well and always went the extra mile for everyone. Jim loved and cared for his family and friends and was never too busy to take care of any issue or concern, be it small or large. He never hesitated to pick up the phone and make a call and everyone especially loved getting his call on their birthday when he would sing to them. Jim was never too busy for anyone and always strove to be the best friend anyone would want. He was honored to be called friend.
Jim is survived by his beloved wife, Phyllis, and their daughters, Michele (Barry) Watkins, Wendy (Rusty) Coffelt, granddaughter Kristin (Eddie) Nevin, grandson Ryan (Kylee) Coffelt and three great grandchildren, Edward, James and Collyns. Also surviving him are brothers Gerald (Terrase) Winkelbauer, Edwin (Linda) Winkelbauer, sister Lisa (Derwin) Hebeler and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Mark Winkelbauer, his parents, and his brother, Don Winkelbauer.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.funerariadelangelanaheim.com for the Winkelbauer family.