Royce Allen Engle, 98, died Feb. 24, 2017, at Mennonite Memorial Home in Bluffton.
A memorial services will be held Saturday, March 4, at 11 a.m. at First Mennonite Church, Bluffton.
He was born near Abilene, Kansas, on Nov. 2, 1918, to Homer and Myrta Hildebrand Engle.
Royce graduated from Messiah Academy (high school), Grantham, Pa., in 1938. He also graduated from Goshen College and two weeks prior to graduation, married Doris Stuckey in May of 1942. Doris died in 1994.
Royce served four years of alternative service as a conscientious objector in Montana, Ohio and Indiana. Upon completion, he began a career working with farm equipment in sales and distribution management. His work prompted family moves to Ohio, Illinois and back to Ohio.
He married Ellen Herr on April 6, 1997. In 2004 Royce and Ellen moved to Maple Crest, and Ellen died shortly after that. Royce married Betty Barrere in November, 2005. Betty preceded Royce in death in October 2016.
Throughout his life, Royce was an active church member. He helped shape aging education curriculum for the broader Mennonite Church, traveling to area churches to lead worship services and weekend workshops to assist in understanding the issues that come with aging and how to develop care support.
He helped create the mental health committee at First Mennonite Church. He volunteered at Et Cetera Shop and Habitat for Humanity.
Royce is survived by his children: Scott (Nancy) Engle, Pocatello, Idaho; Kathy (Duane) Oswald, Fresno, Calif.; Stanley (Pam) Engle, Leo, Ind.; Brian (Terza) Engle, Celina; Suzanne (Paul) Ford, Fort Collins, Colo.; nine grandchildren; two great grandchilden.
Royce was also preceded in death by two infant daughters, Francine, and Nancy.
A memorial services will be held Saturday, March 4, at 11 a.m. at Frist Mennonite Church, Bluffton, with Pastor George O’Reilly to officiate the service. Burial will be in Pettisville Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday, March 3, 5 - 7 p.m. at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation
Services in Bluffton. Memorial contributions may be made to Christian Peacemaker Teams or Habitat for Humanity.
Condolences may be expressed at chiles-lamanfh.com
