Raymond D. Engle, 96, of Kewanna, was surrounded by his loving family members at his daughter’s home when he passed away in the early morning hours of Friday, April 24, 2020.
On Christmas Day, 1923, Raymond Dean Engle was born to Arthur and Mable McCartney Engle in Converse, Indiana. He was 1942 graduate of Kewanna High School.
Raymond was a WW II Army veteran. He fought with the infantry during the Battle of the Philippines, and served in Japan after the end of the war.
On April 1, 1944, Raymond was married to Almeda Sopher in Kewanna, Indiana. Two children were born to their union. Their son, Terry, was born in 1947. Their daughter, Sherry, was born in 1949.
After returning from the war, Raymond found employment at Studebaker in South Bend. He and Almeda purchased land from his father and built a home by the dam at Lake Bruce. During the 1950's he owned and operated a Cities Service station in Leiters Ford. He also drove the school bus for Aubbeenaubbee during that time.
With a strong work ethic and diverse interests, Raymond was later self-employed in a sand and gravel business, a ready mix business, a garage in Rochester, a body shop, a wrecker service, diesel mechanic at Deeds Equipment, and maintaining refrigeration units at Deans Milk. He later is remembered as a mechanic at Hammel Chrysler Plymouth and head mechanic at the Fulton County Highway Department.
Paramount in Ray's life was his family. As the patriarch of the Engle family he was proud to oversee five generations. Family gatherings for birthdays, holidays and other family celebrations brought on many wonderful memories. To relax he enjoyed tinkering around the garage and and meeting the challenges repairing things no one else could fix. Raymond also enjoyed fishing and spending his winters in Florida.
Survivors include his daughter, Sherry (John) Anderson of Kewanna, and his son, Terry Engle of Sebring, FL: Grandchildren: Nesha (Tracy) Skarbek of Richland, Iowa. Cary Guyer of Akron, and Dr. Jesse Engle of Tucson, AZ; great-grandchildren: Matthew (Allyson) Hayes of Rochester, Bailey Skarbek of Richland, Iowa, Tyler Skarbek and companion Trent Bauters of West Allis, WI, Jessie (Cody) Mooneyhan of Kewanna, Cary Guyer Jr. of Fulton, and Kailey Engle of Tucson, AZ; six great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Raymond was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Mabel Engle; beloved wife, Almeda (1994); brother, Bernard Engle (1990); grandson, Sean McDaniel (2001); and his companion, Ruth Talbott (2018).
We look forward to a celebration of the life of Mr. Raymond D. Engle which will be held at a future date in the Good Family Funeral Home. Full military honors will be conveyed by the Fulton County Veteran's Honor Guard and the United States Army.
