Raymond “Ray” J. Winker, age 84, of Tomahawk, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, at Aspirus Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff, Wis. Ray was born in Tomahawk on Nov. 15, 1940, to the late Arthur and Juttietta (July) Winker. He was married to Nina Tanski and together, they had three children; they later divorced. Ray met his significant other, Peggy Sue Woller, and remained with her for 28 years.
Ray held various jobs over the years including working at Kramer Construction, American Motors, driving pulp trucks, and was employed at the Tomahawk Bakery. In his later years, he used his innovative thinking skills by moving and dismantling mobile homes. He took them apart piece by piece to salvage materials for reuse or resale. Ray was a baseball fan, a Packer fan, and enjoyed playing cribbage. He loved taking car rides, and enjoyed phone calls and chats with his close friend, Ozzie. He also loved visiting with his family and friends.
Ray is survived by his children, Lynn Voigt, of Tigerton, Wis., Leanne Winker, of Tripoli, Wis., and Jeff Winker, of Tripoli, Wis.; his grandchildren, Brittnie (Jacob), Kyle, Andromedia, and Devin; his great-grandchildren, Liam, Lainey, Octavian, and Alexander; and his siblings, Pat Mallek, of Englewood, Fla., Elaine Devine, of Pickerel, Wis., Mac Winker, of Tomahawk, Sharon Garver, of Englewood, Fla., Francis Winker, of Merrill, Wis., and Tom Goetsch, of Hazelhurst, Wis.; as well as his significant other’s children, Shawn and Eric, and grandchildren, Cadyn, Celia, and Abianna.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Juttietta and Arthur; his brother, Ernie; his niece, Tiffany; and his ex-wife, Nina.
A celebration of life gathering will be held at a later date.
Generations Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family.