Henry Engel

Henry Engel, 93, of Oakley, passed away on Monday, June 6, 2011 at Logan County Hospital. He was born March 23, 1918 in Sheridan County, KS to Peter and Amelia (Rupp) Engel. Henry was one of four brothers who served in the Army in World War II at the same time. He was united in matrimony on October 10, 1944 to JoAnn Zimmerman; they were married for 66 years. To this union was born eight children. They made their life on the farm South of Oakley until moving to town in 1979 and Henry still drove to the farm every day for 15 years. Henry was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oakley Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, V.F.W., he served on St. Joseph Church Committee, St. Joseph School Building Committee and the National Farmer’s Organization. Henry was a man of family, farm and faith. He was bound to the land from the day of his birth, His roots anchored deep in the fertile earth, nurtured, sustained, by the soil he grew, and his life, like his furrows ran straight and true. In faith, each spring he planted the seeds, in hope, to reap for his family’s needs.

He is preceded in death by five brothers, Clarence, Ig, Ralph, Joe and Felix; two sisters, Flitz Kaiser and Mary Prewo and one granddaughter, Chelsey Kear.

He is survived by his wife JoAnn of the home; six daughters, Gerrie George and husband Bob, Oakley, Jeanita Losey and husband Bob, Grinnell, Jeanice Hearting and husband Russell, Wakeeney, LaRae Flanary and husband Marvin, Temple TX, Tami Kear, Colorado Spring CO, and Stefenie White, Austin TX; two sons, Don Engel and wife Vickie, Oakley, and Dennis Engel and wife Linda, Oakley; two brothers, Wilfred Engel, Oakley, and Paul Engel, New Orleans LA; 16 grandchildren Robbie, Troy and Todd Losey, Melissa Sherfick, Melanie, Michelle and Myles Engel, Clint Gibson, Holly, Amy and Rusty Hearting, Tyler Engel, Mary Ann Burris, Lewis and Jason George, and Alex White; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, June 9, 2011 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oakley. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at Baalmann Mortuary, Oakley. Wake service with rosary will be at 7:00 p.m. Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph School Endowment in care of Baalmann Mortuary, P.O. Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748.