Roy Engel *

Obituary of Great-Uncle Roy Engel as copied from the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune (slightly paraphrased) with additional comments at the end from the Engel Family History Book compiled by Peggy Engel-Steinke-Gamma niece of Roy Engel.

Roy Engel 75, died August 24, 1967 at Wood County Infirmary where he resided the past nine years. He formerly lived on Engel Road.

Mr. Engel had worked as a machinist for American Carbonic Co., Consolidated Papers Inc., and Nekoosa Foundry and Machine Works and was last employed as a truck driver for the city of Wisconsin Rapids. He retired in 1957.

He was born in Wisconsin Rapids August 9, 1892, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Engel. He never married. His parents, a sister, and two brothers preceded him in death.

Surviving are two brothers, Glen, Wisconsin Rapids, and Charles, Evanston, Illinois and three sisters, Mrs. Fred Whitrock (Eleanor) and Mrs. William Kegler (Rose) both of Wisconsin Rapids and Mrs. Wilma Marzofka, Rudolph.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Taylor Funeral Home.

The following are notes from the Engel Family History Book by Peggy Engel-Steinke-Gamma. She has it that Roy was married to Hilda Henke from 1930 to 1941. There is also a news clipping of a bridal shower for Miss Hilda Henke given by my grandmother Mrs. John F Miller.

Roy was born Aug 9, 1892 - wed Hilda Henke Feb 12. 1930 - stillborn daughter born July 2, 1936 - Divorced Nov 18, 1941 - Died Aug 24, 1967.

Hilda died in 1984 at the age of 84. Her obituary in part reads Hilda Engel 84 died Thursday. She was born Aug 20, 1899 in Winniconne, a daughter of Gust and Amelia Henke. She was preceded in death by one sister.

Additional comment by Peggy - "Roy worked for city of Wisconsin Rapids on street maintenance crew. He was responsible to set out kerosene lanterns at street barricades when work was being done. The lanterns had to be set out nightly, picked up in the morning, refilled with kerosene, and replaced in early evening.

Roy was also the cities first unofficial dog catcher - would take all stray dogs home. At one time he had over 20 dogs.

Roy lived at the Engel Farm at the end of Engel Road with his parents. His father died in 1946, his mother in 1953.

Note by Pat - Roy's obituary lists Charles of Evanston, Illinois as a brother. Charles was actually a son of Roy's brother William who died of pneumonia after falling into the Wisconsin River. Charles was raised by his grandparents William and Anna Engel who would be parents of Roy and William. Therefore Roy would actually be an uncle to Charles. Roy was born in 1892 and Charles in 1925 so Roy was 33 when Charles was born