Obituary of Claudia Hughes Winkler

Mrs. Claudia Hughes Winkler, age 74, entered eternal rest Friday June 8, 2007 after a brief illness. A life long native of Morehouse Parish she attended high school at Mer Rouge. Mrs. Winkler's life long interest in health care began at Ouachita Valley Vo-Tech Nursing School where she completed LPN training in the late 1950's. After completing nursing school Mrs. Winkler served in health care working at Morehouse General Hospital, St. Francis Hospital, Sterlington Hospital, and retired after 30 years with the Gamble Guest Care as an administrator. Mrs. Winkler remained active in community service after retirement with fund raisers for the American Heart Association, Morehouse Parish Sheriff's Auxillary, United Way, Muscular Dystrophy Association, and the American Cancer Society. Claudia Winkler received state wide recognition for community service. She received the Nursing Home Administrator of the Year Award, and June 1, 2001 was declared Claudia Winkler Day by both the City of Bastrop and the Louisiana State Legislature. Mrs. Winkler is survived by her husband of 57 years, William Otto Winkler; children, George, Beverly, Kerry, and Terry; two brothers, Hugo Hughes, Carl Brodnax; two sisters, Verda Rogers, Billie Goyne; numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Services will be held at Golden Funeral Home in Bastrop Monday June 11, 2007 at 10 a.m. with visitation Sunday the 10th from 4-6 p.m. Rev. Will Lambert will officiate. Serving as pallbearers will be nephews, Ashley Goyne, Carlton Brodnax, Bentley Brodnax, Dustin Brodnax, Brad Yeldell, and Chad Yeldell. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Mr. Kit, Kevin and Keith Gamble. Mrs. Winkler and her family request that donations be made to the American Cancer Society in lieu of flowers.