Reverend William A. Van Winkle

Reverend William A. Van Winkle, 87, of West Terre Haute, IN, passed Thursday evening, February 29, 2024. William was born March 13, 1936, in South Bend, IN, the only child to William Forest Van Winkle, who was born in Canton, IL, and Irene Celeste Call, born in Spencer, IN. William met Mary Elizabeth Ward at Youth Camp in 1959, finding the love of his life, they married September 27, 1960. They celebrated 51 years of marriage, the year his wife died, Aug. 16, 2012. At the tender age of five, William gave his heart to Jesus and followed Him all his days. In 1957, William received his license and became Ordained by the Assemblies of God in 1961. Following the call to be a minister, William graduated Southeastern University in May 1959 with a B.A. in Theology. His love for History and teaching also drew him to attend Evangel University where he graduated May 1970 with a B.A. in History, continuing his education with a M.A. in History from Southwest Missouri in 1976. Attending ISU, he earned thirty credit hours toward a PhD in School Administration.

William was the assistant pastor for his father at First Assembly of God, in Plymouth and Richmond Indiana. He pastored three churches with his wife, Calvary Assembly of God, Bicknell, IN, Assembly of God, Decatur, IN and Shiloh Assembly of God in Hymera, IN before moving to Springfield, MO to continue his schooling. While in Springfield he assisted his wife in pastoring Friendship Assembly of God for three years. Called back to Indiana, William and Mary pastored First Assembly of God, Cayuga IN, for 4 yrs. and Hulman Street Assembly of God, Terre Haute, IN for 11 yrs. In retirement, he assisted his son, Reverend Timothy A. Van Winkle, as a Bible class teacher and fill-in minister at New Haven of Hope.

Moving forward with passion to teach, he moved to Sullivan, MO in 1970, teaching history at the Sullivan Junior High School for two years, then, transferring to the Sullivan Senior High School where he taught American History and Contemporary Issues for nine years. Moving to Indiana, he became a substitute teacher and later a full-time history teacher at Woodrow Wilson Middle School for 16 yrs. After retiring, he continued to substitute teach.

Reverend William A. Van Winkle is survived by two sons, William Ward Van Winkle (Tammy Denise) of Marshall, IL and Reverend Timothy A. Van Winkle (Melanie Gail), of West Terre Haute, IN; seven grandchildren, Daniel Ward, Kandice Anne Thompson (Holden Lindley), William Scott, and Jordan Allan Van Winkle, Crystal Gail Bauer (Robert Edward), Christopher Eric Martin, Cheyenne Kandice Burt; and ten great-grandchildren, Hayden Wyatt Thompson, Kiersten Marie Layton, Gavin Andrew Bauer, Colten James Layton, Braydin Matthew Bauer, Rileigh Michael Bauer, Audree Michele Bauer, Camden Allan Burris; Kamryn Jean Martin and Sterling Robert Gabriel Burt; and one great-great-grandchild, Kayson Andrew Rockwood.

A great dad, friend, counselor, pastor and teacher! One who loved Jesus and showed it to so many! Congratulations Dad, you Graduated! You will be deeply missed, but we’re right behind you, see you soon!

Funeral service to be held Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 6:00 pm, visitation before service  from 4 to 6:00 pm at Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home at 605 S. 25th St., with Rev. Timothy A. Van Winkle officiating.