Michael Peter Winkel

Michael Peter Winkel passed away on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 after more than 3 years battling esophageal cancer. Michael was born on May 13, 1989 to Peter G. and Dianne M. (Hoffman) Winkel.

Michael's short life can be summed up in two words, HAPPINESS and LOVE. He possessed and constantly displayed a pure joy everywhere he went and in most everything he did. His infectious smile lit up a room and warmed the hearts of everyone he met and spent time with. His everyday life, though simple and to a degree limited, was shielded from the stress and the complexities of his world and surrounding environment. Michael thoroughly enjoyed every minute of every day and freely shared that happiness with family, friends, and others. Michael loved many things in his life. He loved traveling, camping, attending water ski shows, soccer games, and basketball games, and other activities with family members or friends. He deeply loved his family, both immediate and extended. His family included the clients and staff of Syble Hopp School and CP Center. When he met anyone new he would literally reach out to touch them, grasp their hand, and make some physical contact with them. He loved his brothers' dogs and loved to touch and pet them. They, in turn, willingly tolerated his poking and prodding and genuine affection. He loved music and was an adopted member of Mom & Dad's church choir. He attended their weekly rehearsals and applauded his approval after many of the songs. He loved watching live or TV sports, especially any that involved a ball. He could literally spend hours playing ball. He would start with playing catch and soon switch to keep-away as he would deliberately throw the ball away from you to make you chase it. Michael's life was short but filled with so much joy and love. What more can one ask for?

Diagnosed at 10 months with developmental delays, Michael was enrolled in the “Birth to 3” program at the CP Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. From age 3 to 21, he was enrolled at Syble Hopp School in West De Pere. Finally, upon graduation from Syble Hopp, Michael returned to CP Center and participated in the Adult Day Program. There he enjoyed multiple activities, including music, motor skills games, swimming, sports, gardening, and exercise. He especially loved swimming in the CP Center's warm water pool. The warmth and natural buoyancy of the water allowed him to walk and move around with limited assistance. It provided wonderful freedom of movement that he could not enjoy outside of the pool. Michael was able to spend his last day at the CP Center with his friends and loving staff. The program coordinator called us twice that day to tell us how happy he was to be back there after a 2-week absence, and how excited the other clients and support staff were to have him back.

Michael is survived by his parents, Peter & Dianne (Hoffman) Winkel, two brothers, Kevin Winkel & David Winkel, one nephew, Wesley DeNoble-Winkel, aunts and uncles, Wayne Hoffman & Peggy Cuciti, Glenn (Mary) Hoffman, Pat Bolzenthal, Peg Meneau, Tom (Mary) Winkel, several loving and caring cousins, fellow students and teachers from Syble Hopp, and fellow clients and support staff from CP Center. Michael was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Norman & Catherine (Vercauteren) Hoffman, paternal grandparents, Earl & Jean (Hansen) Winkel, one aunt, Beth Winkel, and three uncles, Richard Meneau, John Winkel, and Bruce Bolzenthal.

Visitation will be on Friday, September 6, at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave., from 4-6pm, with a prayer service at 6pm. Visitation will continue on Saturday, September 7, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 2771 Oakwood Dr., from 9:30-11:00am with the Mass of Resurrection to follow at 11:00 am. Interment will be at Allouez Cemetery/Mausoleum. Blaney Funeral Home is assisting the family. Expressions of Sympathy may be shared at www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.

Memorials may be made to Syble Hopp School, 755 Scheuring Rd., De Pere, WI, 54115 or to CP Center, 2801 S Webster Ave., Green Bay, WI, 54301, in Michael Winkel's name.

The family extends their sincere gratitude to staffs of Bellin Hospital and Unity Hospice for their compassionate care of Michael.