Published on October 22, 2026 11:56 am
Last Updated on October 22, 2026 1:11 pm
Irene V. Anderson Winka, 87, of Flora, Illinois, passed away on October 19, 2026, at Carle Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, and a woman of strong Catholic faith.
Visitation will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. on Friday, October 30, 2026, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora, with a Rosary at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue from 9 until 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 31, at St. Stephen Catholic Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. with Father Patrick Peter officiating. Burial will follow in St. Stephen Cemetery. In keeping with her love of reading, memorial donations may be made to the Flora Public Library and will be accepted at the funeral home. To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com.
Irene was born on November 9, 1938, in Bible Grove Township to the late King Anderson and Esther (Dueker) Anderson. She graduated from North Clay Community High School in Louisville in 1956.
On January 14, 1961, Irene married Raymond R. “Ray” Winka at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Flora. Together they raised five children and
shared 58 years of marriage before Ray’s passing in 2019. Irene spent her working years at Samuel Music in Effingham, the Flora Chamber of Commerce, and KSH/DRG Plastics, where she served as plant secretary. She was also a familiar face in Tupperware sales for many years. Irene’s faith was a cornerstone of her life. She was a faithful member of St. Stephen Catholic Church and its St. Anne’s Altar Society. One of her proudest accomplishments was playing the organ at Mass. Family was Irene’s greatest joy. She loved cooking for her family and made sure every holiday and birthday was properly celebrated. She treasured family vacations, lent a hand in Ray’s strawberry patch, and could often be found at the table playing Scrabble or pinochle with her children and grandchildren. Scrabble was a particular favorite, and her knack for spelling had earned her a spelling bee award back in grade school. In quieter moments, she enjoyed a good book.
Irene is survived by her children, Mike Winka and wife, Tina, of Flora, Debbie “Deb” Keller of Olney, Mark Winka and wife, Janet, of Xenia, Tracy Winka of St. Louis, Missouri, and Brent Winka of Flora; eight grandchildren, Lindsay Keller Andrews, Josh Winka, Matthew Winka, Hailey Winka Tuggle, Ryan Winka, Nicholas Winka, Brooke Winka, and Jordan Winka; and four great grandchildren, Keller, Harper, Nora, and Everley.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Raymond; and her sister, Mildred Garrison.
Irene will be remembered for her faith, her love of a good book, and the warmth she brought to every family gathering.