Obituary of Ralph Van Winkle

Coffeyville - Ralph "Rip" Van Winkle, 71, of Fort Gibson, OK died Thursday, February 3, 2011 at Muskogee, OK. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, February 10, 2011 in the Robbins Cemetery west of Coffeyville. Friends may call on Wednesday, February 9, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. Ralph was born December 7, 1939 at Wayside, KS, the son of John David and Roberta Belle (Jones) Van Winkle. From February of 1958 to February of 1962, Ralph served his country in the U. S. Marines. He was part of the presidential helicopter squadron and served under President Eisenhower and President Kennedy. On January 25, 1962 he married Sally Moore in Arlington, VA. Prior to retirement, Ralph was a high voltage electrician for the Department of Energy Southwestern Power Administration located in Gore, OK. He had lived in the area since 1978. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents and brother, John. Survivors include his wife, Sally, of the home; son, John Van Winkle of Moberly, MO.; daughter, Teri O'Brien of Sumrall, MS.; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren with one expected in May; brother, Leslie Van Winkle and wife, Diana of Coffeyville, KS.; and sister-in-law, Chris Van Winkle of Midwest City.