Ernest “Ernie” A. Engelberth, of Grace Village Retirement Community, Winona Lake, passed away at midnight Thursday, May 3, 2018, at Grace Village Health Care at the age of 90.
He was born July 15, 1927, in Hammond, to Henry Engelberth and Elizabeth Kaiser Engelberth. On Jan. 25, 1953, he was married to Norma Jean Leedy, who survives. Together they had six children.
Ernie was a 1945 graduate of North Webster High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in March 1946 and served during World War II until his honorable discharge in August 1947. He was a member of Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church and a longtime member of Gideons International.
Ernie’s life was well-lived, and he was a man never afraid of a hard day’s work. He was a lifetime dairy farmer, farming the majority of his life in the Kosciusko County area. He will be remembered for his work ethic, his character and his dedication to his family … he will be dearly missed by all.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 65 years, Norma Jean Engelberth, Winona Lake; three daughters: Susan (husband Mike) Heintz, Sidney, Ohio; Connie (husband Mike) Lehe, Wolcott; and Karen Engelberth (significant other Sean Barrows), Parker, Colo.; and three sons: Lloyd (wife Nora) Engelberth, Greenwood, Wis.; Doug (wife Ann) Engelberth, Fort Wayne; and Tom (wife Ramona) Engelberth, Edgerton, Ohio. He also leaves behind 15 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; a brother, Otto (wife Mary) Engelberth, Essex Junction, Vt.; and his sister, Dorothy (husband Dale) Hostetler, Yakima, Wash.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and six brothers: Al, Arthur, Ted, Paul, Henry and Bill.
Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 6, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw. There will also be time for visiting an hour prior to the service on Monday, May 7, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home.
His funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, May 7, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home and officiated by Pastor Tom Miller. Burial will follow with a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.
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Memorials to Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, 1200 Kings Highway, Winona Lake, IN 46590; or to Gideons Living Memorial Bible Plan, P.O. Box 766, Winona Lake, IN 46590-0766.
Condolences may be sent at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.
