Irwin A. Wink

Irwin A. Wink died peacefully in Hospice Care at Health Care NW in Kalispell on Sept. 19, at the age of 95.

Born in Malta to Arthur B. and Sadye Irwin Winkenweder on March 25, 1918,, he was raised in Havre where he attended school and met and married Eleanore Clausen on July 15, 1943. She preceded him in death on July 20, 2009, after 66 years of marriage. They lived in Havre until retiring to Bigfork, Mont., in the early 1980's. "Wink", as he was better known, served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy as a fighter pilot instructor from 1942 to 1945. After World War II, he returned to Havre to join his stepfather Edgar Runkel at the Runkel Brothers Ford, Lincoln, Mercury dealership. In 1966 the name was changed to Wink Ford. Over the years he was active in the Havre Masons, Shrine, Rotary and Elks organizations. His love of flight continued throughout his life as he owned and flew several airplanes over the years. He celebrated his 80th birthday in a private plane. Wink was also an enthusiastic hunter and fisherman and enjoyed many days afield with his sons and buddies. He was best known for his non-stop litany of jokes told over and over at happy hour following a day in the field.

Wink is survived by two sons, Robert Wink (Cherie Hansen) of Bigfork, Mont., Scott Wink (Holly) of Havre; two granddaughters, Natalie Mellem (Jerry) of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Emily Neuwerth (Max) of Clayton, N.C. and five great-grandchildren, Mia, Nadia and Quinn Mellem, and Gage and Brooke VanHeel, many wonderful nieces and nephews. and a godson, Mike (Vickie) Rubie, of Missoula.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for the family. Cremation has taken place and, as he wished, there will be no public services. He will be remembered at some of his favorite places including the Larb Hills, Zortman, the Havre Airport, his mother’s gravesite in Havre, and at his wife's gravesite at the Bigfork Cemetery.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Wink’s family. You are invited to go to http://www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Wink’s guestbook, offer condolences and share memories.