Iris Jane Winkler

A faithful servant of God, Iris Winkler, age 94, of Frankfort, Kentucky formerly of Moberly, Missouri, passed away on May 12, 2025.

She was born on April 24, 1931, in Moberly, the daughter of Ira and Hazel (Fowler) Slavens. She was a graduate of Moberly Jr. College High School, class of 1949, and in later years attended Kentucky State University. On November 23, 1949, she married Mason Winkler and they were married for 60 years before he preceded her in death. Iris was a charter member of the Little Dixie Art Association and the Randolph County Missouri Historical Society. While in Moberly, she was employed as an accountant and head of the bookkeeping department at Woodland Hospital and Clinic. After moving to Kentucky in 1969, she worked as a professional genealogist and later for the Department of Agriculture and Department of Education for the State of Kentucky. She retired as the Assistant Director of Purchasing in 1986. She was a member of the Kentucky Historical Society and was also a Kentucky Colonel.

Her faith in Jesus was always at the center of her life. In Missouri she was a member of Trinity Methodist Church and Jefferson Avenue Methodist Church. In Kentucky, she was a member of First United Methodist Church for over 50 years and recently a member of Global Methodist. She served in many roles throughout the years: Sunday School teacher, Bible School teacher, Youth Group Coordinator, member of the Administrative Board and Secretary of the Board, a member of the Faith Circle, the John Browning Sunday School Class and later the Kavanaugh Class. Iris was a member of the Gideons International Auxiliary since 1982, serving as President, Vice-president, Secretary and Chaplain at the Frankfort Camp and served on the state cabinet, serving as Scripture Coordinator, Secretary, Treasurer and State President. She passed out Bibles to many people and led a Bible Study at the Frankfort Regional Jail. She spread the word of God to so many people through her witness and the many notes and letters that she wrote to people needing to hear words of love and hope.

The only thing that compared to her love of God was her love of family. She was the beloved wife of Mason; the loving mother of the late Ronna Woodruff and Gayla Young and dear mother-in-law to Steve (Lydia) Woodruff and Dan Young; devoted Mamaw to five grandchildren, Stephanie (Michael) Key, Charles (Hayley) Woodruff, Joseph ( Lauren) Young; Kyle ( Courtney) Young and Jennifer ( Will) Garcia and fifteen great grandchildren, Riley, Bailey, Maggie, and Finley Key; Isabelle, Charles, Henry and Pierce Woodruff; Mason, Marley and the late Millie Young; Clara and Chase Young; and Margot and Eloise Garcia; sister of the late Marjorie Wigham; loved aunt of Bobbi Wigham and Norma (David) Halterman and David Barnes; and also survived by many other loving relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Gideons International.

Words of comfort and support were shared with the family at a visitation,held in the Cater Funeral Home.  Committal prayer and burial followed at the Oakland Cemetery.