Mark Wesley Winkle, 54, of Batesville, died on Monday, July 22, 2024. Mark was born in Batesville on October 16, 1969, to the late Harold Winkle and Joyce Alene (Moser) Winkle. He was Christian and a member at White Drive Baptist Church in Batesville. As a teenager, Mark enjoyed playing basketball and water skiing, spending many summer days on the White River or at Greers Ferry Lake. Mark was a member of the Southside High School graduating class of 1988. Following high school, Mark followed in his brother’s footsteps and became an OTR truck driver for Winkle Trucking while later becoming the owner of his own business Mark Winkle Trucking. Mark took a job working on airplanes under the late Howard Garrison and that’s where his love for airplanes began. He took flying lessons but was hours short of getting a license. Later in life, Mark decided to join the US National Guard and serve his country. During this time, he was deployed to Iraq to serve in Operational Iraqi Freedom. Mark enjoyed buying and selling items and tinkering around with old cars. But of all Mark’s hobbies and passions, his family and friends meant the most to him. Mark was a loving father to Shelby & Cody. He supported them in every activity they were involved in during their life. Mark loved children. Becoming a Poppa to Lucy and Lincoln was the highlight of his life. He loved spending time with them and spoiling them along the way. Mark had a big heart. He was willing to give all he had to anyone. Mark will be missed.
Mark is preceded in death by both of his parents and his brother, Phillip Winkle. He is survived by his son, Cody Winkle, of Salado; his daughter, Shelby Pinkston (Noah), of Jonesboro; his brother, Blake Winkle; his grandchildren, Lucy Pinkston and Lincoln Pinkston, of Jonesboro; and several extended family members and friends.
Services are entrusted to Willis Funeral Service of Batesville, AR. The funeral service, officiated by Bro. Steve Gunther, will be held at the Willis Funeral Service Chapel on Friday, July 26, 2024, at 2 p.m. A private family burial will take place immediately following the service at Pleasant Valley Cemetery. Honored to serve as pallbearers are Roby Davis, Shane Swaims, Brian Browning, Mike Winkle, Marty Harmon, and Junior Foster.
