Frederick J. “Ike” Engel, 89, of Belleville, IL, born November 24, 1927, in Swansea, IL, died Wednesday, July 5, 2017, at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, IL.
Mr. Engel semi-retired as a building contractor and the owner of Fred J. Engel Construction Company. He formerly worked at Dressel Betz Tool & Die Company as a draftsman. He was a charter member and past-president of the Homebuilders Association of Southwestern Illinois and was awarded the Life Spike Award from the organization. Fred was a lifetime member of Carpenters Local #433 and had been in the building industry since 1948. He served for seven years on the Belleville Zoning Board, was the project manager for the Belleville Labor and Industrial Museum, and in 2003 Fred earned the Volunteer of the Year Award (from the city of Belleville). Ike was an avid hunter, fisherman, and photographer with photo collections of family, friends, tral and homebuilding projects. He enjoyed classic movies and singing along to musicals. He entertained many with his skill of playing harmonicas.
Fred was involved in scouting for 33 years and was a past leader of Squadron 26 of the Area Explorer Scouting. He was a member of the St. Louis Metropolitan Rifle League for 25 years. A U.S. Army veteran, Ike was stationed in South Korea during World War II with the 7th Division as a cryptographer. He was a member of the Belleville VFW Post #1739.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Concelia A., nee Daubach, Engel, whom he married on August 12,1950, and who died on November 24, 2011; a son, Daniel J. Engel; an infant daughter, Nancy J. Engel; his parents, Fred G. and Leona M., nee Nuemayer, Engel; his step-mother, Mae, nee Schaab, Engel; two sisters, Maxine Engel and Elva Auman; and a brother-in-law, Francis Daubach.
Surviving are five daughters and two sons, Diana Engel,
Kathleen (Terry) Lowry,
Eric F. Engel,
Nelson K. (Sue) Engel,
Carla J. Engel,
Barbara Sue (Rick) Guyer,
and Lisa M. Butler;
a daughter-in-law, Carla Sue Engel;
13 grandchildren, Derek Engel, Michelle Lowry, Kristopher Lowry, Krysta Engel, Hannah Engel,
Kurt Engel, Tommy Engel, Travis Grant, Shelby Grant, Alex Guyer, Heather Guyer,
Brandon Ebmeyer, and Justin Ebmeyer;
three great-grandchildren, Katelyn Schempp, Madison Lowry and Ellie Peterson;
a sister-in-law, Florence Koesterer;
and nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the Greater Saint Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, 335 West Main Street, Belleville, IL 62220. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 10, 2017, and from 8 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, with Fr. Vincent Mukasa officiating.
Burial with military honors will be at Walnut Hill Cemetery, Belleville, IL.
Condolences Left For Frederick Engel
I would like to express my condolences of to the family of Mr. Engel and Daniel . Although i met Mr. Engel a couple of times through Daniel . May he REST IN PEACE….. i know he was a loving husband and father & grandfather. my heart goes out to all of you.
Linda K.Sturgeon, O’Fallon, IL., 62269
Blessings to the Engel children. I will miss Uncle Bud’s calls asking about his nephew and family news. He was well known as a perfectionist in building. Once a carpet co. said they would only trust Uncle Bud’s measurements in building stairs where we wanted carpeting because he was very precise in his measurements.
Judy Saeger, Belleville, IL, 62226
I would like to express my sympathy to the Fred Engel family.I have known him a long time. He was a excellent carpenter. He did a lot of work on my house. May the good Lord grant you peace at this very difficult time.
Nancy J. Franke, Belleville, Ill., ^2223
