William “Bill” H. Engelberth, Pierceton, passed away at 7:45 p.m. Sept. 29, 2011, at Kosciusko Community Hospital, of cardiac arrest at the age of 87. He was born Jan. 20, 1924, in Hammond, to Elizabeth Kaiser and Henry Engelberth. On June 15, 1954, in Linden, Mich., he married Loraine L. Stimer, who survives. Living most of his life in Kosciusko County, he was a dairy and grain farmer who was quietly progressive. He was on the forefront of using artificial insemination to increase milk production in his dairy and worked with Purdue University extension personnel on conservation tillage concepts to protect the land that he worked so hard to maintain. He was an early advocate of no-till practices in corn and use of grass waterways. He was recognized on two separate occasions by the Kosciusko Soil and Water Conservation District: Outstanding Conservation Farmer (1984) and Master Farmer of the Year (2006). He was a member of Winona Lake Free Methodist Church, where he was active in multiple facets of the ministry. He had a passion to serve, with special emphasis on repair and maintenance of the facility. He had a heart for the kids of the church, assisting in Sunday school class until very recently. He also participated on several missions trips to countries including Haiti, Guatemala, Zimbabwe, Africa and Mexico. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife; five children: Jon (and spouse Margaret) Engelberth, New Jersey; Paul (and spouse Terri) Engelberth, Georgia; Rachel Alexander, Washington; Lois (and spouse John) Winenger and Jim (and spouse Janet) Engelberth, all of Indiana; 12 grandchildren: Nathan, Brandon, Haley, Abby, Elizabeth, Daniel, Jonathan, Justin, Elena, Jared, Joel, and Jenna; a sister, Dorothy (and spouse Dale) Hostetler, Yakima, Wash.; and two brothers, Ernest (and spouse Norma) Engelberth, Pierceton, and Otto (and spouse Mary) Engelberth, Essex Junction, Vt. He was preceded in death by five brothers: Al, Arthur, Ted, Paul and Henry Engelberth. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Winona Lake Free Methodist Church, with Dr. Henry Church, former Free Methodist pastor, and Pastor Roland Kramer, Winona Lake Free Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw. Calling is from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw. ***** Memorials may be made in his name to the evangelical mission’s organization of your choice. Condolences may be sent via www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com
