Fourth Street Church of Christ minister laid to rest

By RUSSELL INGLE
Staff Writer

Friends and family of Matthew Winkler, 31, gathered to pay their last respects at Shackleford Funeral Home beginning last Monday night. A 5 p.m. visitation drew 200 to 300 people to Selmer’s Shackelford Funeral Directors to pay their respects.

Other than family and friends, those attending Monday’s visitation included people Matthew had known and touched throughout his brief life.

There was a line of approximately 150 people waiting to pay their respects Monday night. The line continued inside and could be seen through the large glass window in the funeral home, but in the early morning hours Tuesday, the body of Matthew Winkler received a special visit.

Mary Winkler was escorted to the funeral home at approximately 5:00 a.m. for a private moment with her husband. According to sources at the scene, Mrs. Winkler was quiet but emotional.

Reports indicate that the early morning visit was arranged to avoid media attention.
The funeral service, which was held Tuesday at the Fourth Street Church of Christ in Selmer, where Winkler ministered, was attended by those that knew the Winklers best, family and friends.

Winkler’s daughters, Breanna, 1, Mary Alice, 6, and Patricia, 8, were in attendance with their grandparents.

After a time of remembering Winkler, many well wishers made their way to Carroll County Memorial Gardens in Huntingdon, where the minister was laid to rest.

Instead of sending flowers, mourners and well-wishers are asked to contribute to a fund that has been set up for the three Winkler children. The donations will be used for counseling and for establishing a trust to help pay for college for Breanna Winkler, 1, Mary Alice Winkler, 6, and Patricia Winkler, 8. Donations may be sent to Winkler Family Fund, 229 Ward Circle, Suite A-23, Brentwood, TN 37027.