John L. Winkelman

John L Winkelman was born the only son of George Frederick Winkelman and Eva Lucille (Bingaman) Winkelman. He graduated from the Reading Public School System in Reading, Pennsylvania and later received a Bachelor’s Degree from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He returned to Temple University and received a second degree in Microelectronics. For most of his career he worked for The Western Electric Company and AT&T, retiring as the Department Manager in the microelectronics division. He also owned JW Marine, Inc., a recreational water sports company located along the Schuylkill River in Muhlenberg Township, Pennsylvania. He served in the United States Navy from 1952 through 1956 attaining the rank of Petty Officer First Class in Electronics. He is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, and Telephone Pioneers of America. He was never married.

Mr. Winkelman was a lifetime member of St. Paul’s Memorial United Church of Christ in Reading, Pennsylvania, where we served as the Church Treasurer, a Deacon, a Lector, and a Liturgist. St. Paul’s later merged with First United Church of Christ in Reading, where he again served as Treasurer. He later affiliated with St. Andrews United Church of Christ in Reading.

Mr. Winkelman was raised a Master Mason in Chandler Lodge No. 227, F&AM of Pennsylvania, meeting in Reading, on February 23, 1966. He served as Worshipful Master in 1973. Mr. Winkelman is a Past Eminent Commander and Past Treasurer of Reading Commandary No. 42, Knights Templar of Pennsylvania, presiding as Commander in 1977. He served as The Rite Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandary of Pennsylvania in 1988 and as Northeast Department Commander of the Grand Encampment of the Knights Templar of the United States of America. Mr. Winkelman was Knighted a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret, 32° Scottish Rite Mason in Reading Consistory, S.P.R.S., on May 21, 1966. He was coroneted a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33°, Honorary Member of the Scottish Rite Supreme Council on September 27, 1994 at Cleveland, Ohio. He presided as Most Wise Master of Francis Marion Highley Chapter, Knights of Rose Croix in 2000 and 2001.

He was first elected a Deputy Member of DeMolay International’s Supreme Council in 1992 and an Active Member in 1999, retiring as an Emeritus Member in 2006.

Mr. Winkelman will be interred next to his parents at Laureldale Cemetery, Muhlenberg Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania.

Farewell, you have gone to meet your God and may he approve of you.