John Engelke Jr

John Engelke, Jr., 94, Independence, MO passed away March 27, 2012. Services will be 10 am, Sat., March 31 at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St., Independence, MO 64055; interment with Military Honors at Mound Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday 6-8 pm at the chapel. The family suggests contributions to the Salvation Army, 14700 E. Truman Rd., Independence, MO 64050.
John was born Oct. 22, 1917 in Hanover, Germany. As a young boy, he came to the United States with his family. After graduation from high school in Philadelphia, PA, he attended Graceland College. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in the 1st Division in the Pacific Theater during WW II. After returning from the war, he served as a volunteer firefighter and volunteered for the police dept. in the town of Feasterville, PA. John, his wife Ruth, and family moved to Independence, MO in 1955. He worked as a machinist at the Marley Company until his retirement in Sept, 1982. He was a member of the Machinist Union and served as Union Steward for a time. He was a member of the RLDS Church and was ordained a deacon on March 29, 1936. He served as Head Deacon at Farview RLDS Branch during the 1970’s. John had many varied interests including gardening flowers and vegetables, bird-watching, carpentry projects and collecting “N” scale model trains.
John was preceded in death by son Eddie Engelke in 1957. He is survived by his wife of sixty-nine years Ruth Engelke, of the home; daughter Adrienne Vogel and her significant other Steve Hobick, Kansas City, MO; son Steve Engelke and wife Kandi, Independence, MO; grandchildren Matt Vogel and wife Kelly, Jason Vogel, Sarah, Sam and Hannah Engelke; great-grandchildren Jack, Hunter, Lyla and Keaton Vogel.