.LAKEVILLE: SPC Damon G. Winkleman, 23, a US Army Combat Medic, of Lakeville died Sunday, September 20, in Zabul Province, Afghanistan from injuries received in a vehicle rollover accident while responding to a call for support for a unit pinned down by enemy fire. As the Bible says: He laid down his life for others.
Damon was born February 25, 1986 in Wooster, the son of Richard W. "Wink" and Patricia G. (Murphy) Winkleman. He was a lifetime resident of the Lakeville area and member of St. John Lutheran Church, McZena where he was a member of the Luther League and Church Choir as a youth. Damon was a 2004 graduate of Loudonville High School, where he was a member of the football and baseball teams, as well as both the Jazz and Marching Bands. Additionally while in High School, he was a member of the Academic Challenge Team and enjoyed playing in a local "garage band". He was voted by his Loudonville High School Senior Class as "Most Likely to Become President of the United States". Following high school, Damon attended Marion Military Institute of Marion, AL, where he received his Associates Degree in Military Science. He enlisted in the US Army in September of 2007 and was a member of operation "Enduring Freedom" assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, based in Ft. Bragg, NC. Some of his passions were music, woodworking, fishing, and all things out-of-doors. His two favorite places were the lake by his house, and Carolina Beach. There wasn't a tree, animal, or piece of anatomy he couldn't identify. He has been described by his friends and family as a delightful young man who enjoyed giving and receiving hugs.
In addition to his parents, Damon is survived by two brothers and sisters-in-law, Jason and Crystal Winkleman of Wooster, SGT Nathan and Kelly Winkleman, Presently deployed to Iraq through Ft. Campbell, KY; two nephews, Tyler and Trevor Winkleman; aunts and uncles, Jo Ellen and Thomas Zilko, and Terry and Bea Murphy, all of Wooster, Harrison and Deb Murphy of Lakeville; and his godparents, Kim and LuAnn McCullough of Shreve.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 27, 2009 in St. John's Lutheran Church, McZena with Rev. John Furno officiating. Burial with full military honors conducted by the 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, NC, will be in Fairview Cemetery, Wayne County. Friends may call after 12:00 Noon Saturday, September 26, where the family will be present from 12-4 and 6-8 p.m. in Byerly-Lindsey Funeral Home, Loudonville. The family requests memorial contributions be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, 46 Ashland County Road 2575, Lakeville, OH 44638. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.Byerly-Lindsey.com
