Richard Lewis Van Winkle

Richard Lewis (Rick) Van Winkle, 76, of Mount Pleasant, entered heaven on Monday, November 24, 2025, at the VA Medical Center in Iowa City.

Rick was born on June 30, 1949, in Kirksville, Missouri, the son of Lewis M. and Hazel M. (Heise) Van Winkle. He grew up on a farm four miles west of Houghton. He attended the Hillsboro Baptist Church, where he accepted Jesus as his Savior and was baptized.

Rick attended Hillsboro Elementary and Harmony Community Schools before moving to Burlington, where he graduated from Burlington High School in 1967. He entered the United States Army on September 17, 1970. He requested training in electronics and served with the 552nd Military Police Company during the Vietnam War. Rick was honorably discharged on April 20, 1972. He was united in marriage to Becky A. Swailes on February 15, 1975, at Forest Lake Baptist Camp south of Ottumwa.

Rick farmed with his cousin in the Houghton area for a couple of years before moving to Mount Pleasant, where he was employed with Motorola, later Celestica, for over 33 years. He served as director of the Henry County Veterans Affairs Office for six years and was also active in local politics, serving as co-chair of the Henry County Republican Party. He was a member of Faith Christian Outreach Church in Mount Pleasant.

Rick took great joy in his family, especially in the many trips they took together while the boys were young. His grandchildren were a particular delight to him. Rick’s faith in Jesus Christ was of supreme importance in his life and shaped the way he loved and served others.

Rick enjoyed canoeing, wood carving and whittling, hunting, fishing, and riding motorcycles. He loved spending time at car shows and cruising in his 1951 Ford, which his grandmother had purchased new. Rick enjoyed cooking for family and friends and was famous for his homemade ice cream and his great-grandma’s coffee cake. He sang in the Happy Memories Group and presented Vietnam War programs in area schools. Rick and Becky were blessed with the opportunity to travel to many places, including Israel, Alaska, and Holland.

Those thankful for sharing in Rick’s life include his wife of 50 years, Becky; his son, Dan (Kira) Van Winkle of Ottumwa; his daughter-in-law, Kristin Van Winkle of Washington; his beloved grandchildren, Madison, Lincoln, Quincy, Grady and Cooper; his sister, Cheryl Bell of Houghton; his brother-in-law, Rex Swailes of Mount Pleasant; along with nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Dr. James L. Van Winkle; his brother, Alan Van Winkle; and his brother-in-law, Richard Bell.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Faith Christian Outreach Church in Mount Pleasant, with Reverend Monte Knudsen officiating. Burial, with military honors conducted by the Henry County Honor Guard, will be in Forest Home Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 29, 2025, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Faith Christian Outreach Church in Mount Pleasant. Memorials may be directed to Cradle of Hope in his memory.

The Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant is honored to serve the family with love, comfort and dignity as we celebrate the life of Rick Van Winkle.   

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