JAMES VAN WINKLE

MUSCATINE, Iowa – James Van Winkle, 59, passed away on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at Unity Point-Trinity Muscatine.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at Wesley United Methodist Church. The Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.wittichfuneralhome.com.

Jim was born on September 30, 1964, in Moline, Illinois, the son of William and Donna (Carson) Van Winkle.

He graduated from Alleman Catholic High School in 1982 in Rock Island. Jim went on to lead a varied and plentiful professional life, contributing his talents to organizations such as the United States Department of Defense, Memes Associates, the HON Company, Pearson Education, Musser Public Library, and most recently, Wesley United Methodist Church, where he served as Director of Media Ministries.

A devoted musician, Jim was inducted into the Iowa Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018 with “Cruisin’,” a rock band based in Muscatine. In Cruisin’, he had the pleasure of playing with Max Allan Collins, Steve Kundel, and his late brother, Brian Van Winkle. An avid guitarist, Jim cherished the opportunity to teach music lessons to younger and older aspiring musicians alike, including his sons, Teddy and Eli Van Winkle.

When not practicing the guitar, writing music, developing multimedia projects, or trying to save the world, Jim could be found indulging in many of his other creative pursuits. He was passionate about learning new instruments, such as the mandolin, the lap steel, the ukelele, and more. Jim’s work as a photographer garnered him international attention, including top-3 placements in multiple competitions across the globe.

Jim is survived by his son, Theodore Van Winkle and his spouse; his son, Eli Van Winkle; his daughter, Carly Warmack, her spouse, and two children; his half-sister, Annice Marie Beshear; his sister-in-law, Lisa Van Winkle; his nephew, Matthew Van Winkle and his son; and countless others who made an everlasting impact on his life. He is also survived by his two fur babies, Oliver and Gilly, whom he adored.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Brian Van Winkle.