Sister Joan Winkler, O.S.F. (86) died on February 14, 2021, at 11:59 a.m. at St. Francis Convent, Springfield, IL.

Sister Joan was born in Breese, IL, on September 25, 1934, the daughter of Raymond and Anna Margaret (Cope) Winkler. She entered the Congregation on February 2, 1951, and professed her religious vows on October 4, 1953.

Sister Joan received a bachelor of science degree in dietetics from Fontbonne College, St. Louis, MO, in 1957, a master’s degree in health services administration from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, in 1976, and a master’s degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University, Chicago, IL, in 1988.

Sister Joan began her career as a dietitian at HSHS hospitals in Illinois. She also served as Assistant Novice Directress at St. Francis Convent and was the Director of the Dietary Department, Assistant Administrator, and Administrator at HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital, Eau Claire, WI, from 1966–76. Sister Joan served as the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Catholic Hospital Association, Madison, WI, from 1976-1986. While she was a student at Loyola University, she ministered at Alverna Home Nursing Center in Chicago, IL. In 1989, she returned to Springfield and served as the Program Director of the Franciscan Apostolic Center until 1992. From 1993–95, Sister Joan served as the Manager of the Manressa House, Florissant, MO. In 1995, Sister Joan was elected as a Provincial Councilor and was elected as the Provincial Superior in 1999; she served in this role until 2007. Sister Joan was a volunteer at HSHS St. John’s Hospital from 2008–14.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, John and David Winkler, and two sisters, Mary M. Shepard and Sister Fran Winkler, O.S.F.

She is survived by a sister, Ruth Schmitt, Sherman, IL; a sister-in-law, Elizabeth Winkler, Great Britain, several nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews as well as her Franciscan Sisters with whom she shared her life for 70 years.

Private services will be held on February 18, 2021. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date.

To read her feature story from 2009, please click here.

Staab Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

As we continue to live with the COVID-19 pandemic, it seems that almost every aspect of our lives has been impacted. It has changed our ability to socialize with family and friends, the celebration of significant events in the lives of family members, the way we access medical care, and possibly our work schedules among many others.

The Chiara Center has been significantly impacted as well. It has been closed since March 2020. In May we decided to suspend all activities at the Chiara Center until the end of August when we made the decision to suspend all activities indefinitely. These decisions were made to comply with the guidelines instituted by the State of Illinois and to protect our Sisters, employees, and guests.

As we anticipate the future use of the Chiara Center in the post-COVID time, we do not expect the activity to return to pre-COVID levels. With decreased usage, the ability to provide quality programs and accommodations will be significantly reduced. Based on all of these facts, the Provincial Council and I have made the difficult decision to close the Chiara Center permanently effective March 31, 2021. Today and in the coming days, we will be communicating this news to various audiences who are part of the Chiara Center family.

Many individuals will be impacted by this decision so I ask that you keep all of them in your prayers at this time.

In Francis and Clare,

Sister Maureen O'Connor, OSF
Provincial Superior

As members of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), we stand with the other more than 1,300 leaders of Catholic Sisters nationwide as we make this statement:

The LCWR joins with the world in praying for peace after witnessing the violence and lawlessness yesterday in our nation’s capital. We are deeply concerned about the state of our country and the future of our democracy. Our hearts ached as we watched these despicable actions that threaten not only to destroy the seat of our government but to rend the bonds that unite us. We commend and thank the members of Congress who courageously continued their service to the nation last night even amid the chaos.

In our increasingly divided nation, we renew our commitment to the common good and pledge to take up the challenge to use our energy to repair our democracy and contribute to the work of building a more perfect union. We invite all people of good will to join us and we call on our elected leaders to point the way.

Out of an abundance of caution concerning the Corona virus (COVID-19), the St. Francis Convent property will be closed to visitors beginning March 16.

Please join with us in prayer for our nation and world. Submit a prayer request here.