LELAND — Shawn Andrew Winkler, 30, took his own life after a lengthy battle with his demons, depression and drug addiction on Sunday, April 15, 2018.
Shawn was preceded in death by his grandfather, Raymond D. Core; and uncle, Michael Jeffrey Core.
Shawn is survived by his mother, Sarah Winkler; dad (whereabouts still unknown), John I. Winkler; sisters, Shannon Winkler (Austin) of Castle Hayne, N.C., and Susi Boyd of South Carolina; grandmother, Kay Core of Leland, N.C.; aunts, Debbie Williams (Mike) of Castle Hayne, N.C., Donna Fowler (Jeff) of Winnabow, N.C., and Rhonda Westmorland and Rose Whitten, both of Illinois; numerous cousins and even a few drug-free friends.
Shawn was born at Cherry Point Naval Hospital. He graduated from Dixon High School in Holly Ridge, N.C. This is where most of his drug issues started.
Shawn was a troubled soul who lacked a good male role model. The rest of his family though, loved him very much and tried to reassure him of this every day. Unfortunately, meth and the voices that appear to accompany meth use told Shawn otherwise.
After high school, Shawn worked numerous jobs from restaurant cook to various construction jobs. He went to live with his aunt in Illinois for several years, and then moved back to North Carolina. He also lived a short time in Ohio.
Prior to drugs, Shawn still had issues with depression and anger, but he handled it the best he could. He was the class clown in high school, and he loved to pull pranks on people and tell jokes, even if they were a bit lame. He also liked to share some of his more metaphysical thoughts about the universe and surrounding world we live in.
Shawn wasn’t religious, but he was spiritual. There will not be a service, though a few family members will get together at a later date to spread his ashes.
In lieu of flowers, and if you want to remember Shawn, please do so by not doing drugs, love your children and kill a drug dealer — OK, maybe not that last one — but you can certainly report any drug dealings you become aware of to your local law enforcement, even if you suspect it’s your own child.
