Caroline M. Winkler, 95, of Peoria, IL, died February 1, 2025 at Lutheran Hillside Village in Peoria, IL.

Born on February 17, 1929 in East Peoria, IL, to Jacob and Louise Hugh Wiegand, she married her high school sweetheart, Harold Walter Winkler on July 29, 1950 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Peoria, IL.  He preceded her in death on February 17, 2011.

Surviving are her sisters, Alma Jean Fassett and Ruth Ann Sollberger (who passed away on February 3, 2025) both of Peoria, IL, 2 daughters, Cynthia Louise Winkler of Salem, IN and Susan Jane (Doug) Plank of Tulsa, OK, 1 son, John Walter (Barbara) Winkler of Peoria, IL, 2 grandchildren, Adam John Plank of Arcadia, OK and Abigail Jane (Trevin) Hoffman of Tulsa, OK, and 1 great-grandchild, Louisa Christine Hoffman of Tulsa, OK.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Mary Louise Swadley, and her husband.

Caroline grew up in East Peoria side by side with her beloved sisters on the family farm. As adults, the four sisters lived within a mile of each other in Fondulac Heights. This bond set the stage for a lifetime of family time and fond memories. In their last years, three of the sisters lived at Lutheran Hillside Village.

Caroline attended Bradley University where she completed her Master of Guidance and Counseling degree in 1959.   She then taught at East Peoria High School and Germantown Grade School, returning to Bradley University where she taught for 26 years, retiring as the Department Chairman of Physical Education in 1986.  She completed her teaching as a substitute teacher for East Peoria District 86 for an additional 33 years, until the age of 90.

Caroline's passion was swimming, proudly teaching so many people to swim, especially those with disabilities.  She also was the founder and coordinator of the Bradley Aquadettes, the synchronized swimming club. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Peoria where she belonged to the Altar Guild.  Caroline and Harold were also members of the committee that commissioned the Abraham Lincoln sculpture, "Line in the Sand", which stands in front of the Peoria County Courthouse.

A visitation will be from 10am-11:15 am on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Peoria followed by a memorial service at 11:30 am.  Pastor Mark Nelson and Pastor Matthew Synnott will officiate.   A private family burial will be at Fondulac Cemetery in East Peoria.  Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington is assisting the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Peoria Riverfront Museum's "Every Student Initiative."