Willard W. Engel

Willard W. Engel, of Bay City, Michigan, passed away Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at Bay Regional Medical Center, age 66. He was born January 9, 1944 in Watertown, WI. Willard attended Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN and while there was called to serve as an emergency tutor at Northwestern Lutheran Academy in Mobridge, South Dakota from 1965-1966. Upon graduation in 1967, he received a Divine Call to serve at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church and School. Willard served at St. John's from 1967 to 2007 as a fifth and sixth grade teacher, choir director and organist. Willard is survived by his wife of 40 years, Barbara (Slates) and mother-in-law, Elaine Slates. Willard and Barbara were blessed with three children, Craig (Jennifer) Engel and their children, Joel David, Megan Ann, Emma Elaine of Willmar, MN, Bradley (Angie) Engel and their children, Joshua Evan, Caleb Aaron of Spring, TX and Angela (John) Rettle and their daughter, Maebelle Leigh of Wauseon, OH. He is also survived by his sisters, Karen Engel of Johnson Creek, WI and Doretta (Robert) Meyer of Magnolia, TX and several nieces & nephews. Willard was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Otto & Dorothy Engel; and his father-in-law, Vannel Slates. Funeral & Committal Services will take place Friday, December 31, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church. Officiating will be Rev. Paul E. Schweppe & Rev. Paul E. Schaewe. Private inurnment will be in Heavenly Rest Cemetery. Friends may call at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.. The family will gather at the church to greet friends on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial cards will available at the funeral home for St. John's Senior Choir Music Fund and St. John's Lutheran School (to be designated by the family).