Sister Arlene Winkler

✝ Friday, November 24th 2023

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"So with old age is wisdom, and with length ofdays understandlng. " Job 12:12

As Sister Arlene Winkler was called to her heavenly home on Friday, November 24 at 1.15 p.m., one might imagine the angels singing, "Open my eyes, Lord, help me to see your face." As she welcomed Sister Death, her life changed, and she saw the face of God.

Sister Arlene, the former Mary Theresa Winkler, was born in Leipsic, OH, on June 21, 1929, the daughter of Louis and Lauretta (Lammers) Winkler. She entered the Congregation on March 6, 1949, and professed her religious vows on October 4, 1951. She was a 1960 graduate of St. John's Hospital School of Nursing. She earned a bachelors degrve in nursing fnrn Marillac College in 1971, and a master's degree in gerontology from Sangamon State University in 1981. In addition, she earned certificates in hospice training, clinical pastoral education, and pastoral bereavement counseling.

Sister Arlene was prayerful, and she lived her vocation through service and with a desire for knowledge. She was a teacher of postulants, a nuæe, a sacristan at St. Francis Convent, and a nurse at St. John's San. She also served as a nurse at St. Francis Hospital, St. John's Hospital, and St. Joseph's Hospital (Highland). In addition, she served as a hospice volunteer at St John's and remained present with families with ongoing communication.

Through her ministry in the activities department from 1971-92, Sister Arlene journeyed with Sisters who were no longer in active ministry, and she encouraged them to share their gifts through crafts and other activities related to the practice of occupational therapy. In addition, she invited others to join in this ministry including the Candy Stripers. Furthermore, she gathered many Sisters' wisdom and stories, and her interest in gerontology was enriched through the more than 30 interviews she conducted with Sisters in 1986 and through her involvement with University of Illinois at Springfield gerontology alumni.

Heritage was important to Sister Arlene. The photographs she took and the narration she wrote preserved this community's history while similar work with her family's genealogy will be treasured by many generations in her family. She was blessed with musical abilities and often shared a song and a joy-filled laugh. Despite her limitations with vision, she found ways to communicate including with the computer, and she was blessed with a good memory that guided her participation in prayers and hymns.

Sister Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Donald Winkler, and three sisters: Hilda Hovest, Rose Schroeder, and Avera At. Several nieces and their families survive her.

Services and burial will be at St. Francis Convent. The Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 29 from 4-7 p.m. with a Wake Service at 6.00 p.m. The Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Richard Chiola on Thursday, November 30 at 10.00 a.m. in the St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel and burial will be in Crucifixion Hill Cemetery.

May Sister Arlene's example inspire us to walk by faith, not by sight. May she rest in peace.