Thomas R. Engle, age 82, formerly of Nappanee, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, his wife Judy at his side everyday as she always was for 54 years of marriage.
He was born on April 11, 1941, in Warsaw, to Louis D. and Dorothea A. Tenny Engle. Tom loved the Lord and was a member of the Living Gospel Church in Nappanee and of Southside Baptist Church in Sebring, Fla. He never missed an opportunity to share a Bible verse or impress the importance of God's Salvation. Tom's love for his family was clear and he was always first to express how proud he was of all of them.
Tom worked at Utilimaster in Wakarusa for 35 years where he forged lifelong friendships that he held dear to his heart. Growing up and through his life, Tom enjoyed hunting, fishing and flying with pretty much anyone that wanted to go. He was quick to have fun though even quicker to help a friend or family member in need. Tom graduated from North Webster High School in 1957 and on Feb. 6, 1960, received his national lumber inspection certification in Memphis, Tenn.
Tom was a member of the Indiana Air Force National Guard.
He is survived by his wife, Judy Engle; three children: Cindi (Brian) Slagter, of Palm City, Fla.; John (Shannan) Wesseler, of New Paris; and Mike (Amy) Engle, of Hampstead, N.C.; nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Tom was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers: Jerry, Louis and Lowell Engle.
Visitation will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 5 and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 6 at Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home. A funeral service officiated by Pastor Jeff Estep will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday and burial will follow in Leesburg Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Tom’s name can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Samaritans Purse.