Robert H. Winkler

Robert H. Winkler, 92, of Salisbury, NY passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home at the Winkler Family Farm on July 12, 2025 with his family by his side. 

He was born on October 31, 1932 in Salisbury, New York and was the son of the late Fred and Jennie (Brownell) Winkler. He was educated at Dolgeville Central School and went to work on the family farm.

On September 25, 1954, Robert was united in marriage to Gladys L. Brooks in Bleecker, New York. The couple shared a union of 56 years together, raising four children in a fun and loving home.  Gladys passed away on February 19, 2011.  

Robert was a life-long dairy farmer and owned Winkler Farm on Winkler Road now known as Moore Road. He also worked at the Town of Manheim and Herkimer County Highway Departments until his retirement. 

He was a 61 year lifetime member of the Salisbury Volunteer Fire Department; an active board member of the Salisbury Rural Cemetery, and a former member of the Dolgeville Lions Club. 

Robert’s sense of humor and kind spirit was passed on to his children and grandchildren and he will be missed dearly by all who knew him. 

Robert is survived by his children, Fred Winkler and his companion, Mildred Saalfelder of  Dolgeville, NY, Phyllis Giachetti of Little Falls, NY, John Winkler and his wife, Tina of Salisbury, NY, and Dennis Winkler and his wife, Kathy of Dolgeville , NY; grandchildren, Robert Winkler, Stacy Kruse (Howard), Fred Winkler, II, Jason Winkler (Hope), John Winkler (Marie), Matthew Winkler (Marissa) Deanne Altmann (Caleb), and Katelyn Warner (Jessie) , great-grandchildren, Seth Kruse (Carlie), Jacob Kruse (Mercedes), Allison May (Jay), Henry Winkler, Leona Winkler, Kimber Altmann, Kambrie Warner, Ethan Winkler, Stephen Winkler, and Cassidy Winkler; and seven great-great grandchildren; a sister, Doris McIntosh; brother, Glenn Winkler (Joanne); in-laws, Virginia Winkler, Lorraine Bleyl, Eleanor Brooks, Stewart Brooks;  many nieces and nephews; several cousins. 

He was predeceased by his wife, Gladys; parents; son-in-law Gary Giachetti, mother-in-law and father-in-law, George and Mildred Brooks; brother, Ralph Winkler; sisters, Helen Fries and husband, Robert, Stella Dillon and husband, John, and Marion Fox and husband, Charles; in-laws, Harry McIntosh, Robert Bleyl, Milton Brooks, Marilyn and George Goodwin, Douglas and Edna Brooks, Patricia Brooks; granddaughter, Elizabeth Winkler;and three infant siblings.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Miller-Plonka Funeral Home, 30 Wolf Street, Dolgeville, New York. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at 1 p.m. also at the funeral home. Procession will follow to Salisbury Rural Cemetery where he will be laid to rest alongside his wife, Gladys.  Members of the Salisbury Volunteer Fire Department will call at the funeral home at 7:00pm on Tuesday and honor Robert with their honor guard, funeral and procession during his services.

Please consider memorial contributions to Salisbury Rural Cemetery c/o Phyllis Giachetti, 1304 Shells Bush Rd., Little Falls, New York. 

To leave a message of sympathy for the Winkler Family, please visit www.millerplonkafuneralhome.com and sign the tribute wall or leave a photo or memory for his online memory book. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert H. Winkler, please visit our floral store.