Sister Joan Winkler, OSF, of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis died on Feb. 14, at St. Francis Convent, Springfield. She was 86 years old.

Sister Joan was born in Breese, on Sept. 25, 1934, the daughter of Raymond and Anna Margaret Cope Winkler. She entered the congregation on Feb. 2, 1951 and professed her religious vows on Oct. 4, 1953.

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

Sister Joan began her career as a dietitian at HSHS hospitals in Illinois. She served as assistant novice directress at St. Francis Convent, Springfield. She was the director of the Dietary Department, assistant administrator, and administrator at HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital, Eau Claire, Wis., from 1966 to 1976. Sister Joan served as the executive director of the Catholic Hospital Association, Madison, Wis., from 1976 to 1986. While she was a student at Loyola University, she ministered at Alverna Home Nursing Center in Chicago. In 1989, Sister Joan returned to Springfield, and served as the program director of the Franciscan Apostolic Center until 1992. From 1993 to 1995 she 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. She was a volunteer at HSHS St. John’s Hospital from 2008 to 2014.

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

She is survived by a sister, Ruth Schmitt, Sherman; 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 were held on Feb. 18. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date.

Staab Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.