Bernard J. Engelkins, 88, of Harbor Crest Nursing Home, Fulton, IL, died Saturday, May 24, 2014, at Mercy Medical Center North, Clinton, IA.
Bernie was born August 11, 1925, in Fulton to Burnie O. and Nellie (Shipma) Engelkens. He was educated in the Fulton Christian School. He was a veteran of the U. S. Navy, serving during World War II. Bernie married Dorothy M. Geerts on August 31, 1946, in Clinton. She died December 8, 2005. Bernie worked for various area concrete contractors and the International Union of Cement Finishers Local #15 in Clinton. He was a member of First Christian Reformed Church in Fulton and a former member of the Fulton American Legion Post #402. He enjoyed fishing and visiting with family and friends. Talk was music to his ears.
Survivors include one daughter, Vicki Steward of Clinton; two sons, Jerry (Diane) Engelkins of Morrison, IL, and Steve (Alice) Engelkins of Savanna, IL; ten grandchildren, Derek Steward, Kurt (Kenna) Steward, Chad (Shelley) Engelkins, Lisa Engelkins, Heather (Robert) Balint, Brandon Engelkins, Joshua Engelkins, Kurt (Cara) Behren, Tiffany Saenz, and Tyler Engelkins; many great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dorothy; one son, Ricky Engelkins; five sisters, Carrie Wiersema, Elizabeth Rus, Nellie Port, Estella Dyson, Lois Spangler; three brothers, John Engelkens, Arthur Engelkens, and Edward Engelkens.
FUNERAL SERVICE: 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 28, 2014, at the Fulton Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home
OFFICIATING: Rev. Philip Stel, Pastor, First Christian Reformed Church, Fulton, IL
VISITATION: 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 27, 2014, at the Fulton Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home
INTERMENT: Fulton Township Cemetery, Fulton, IL
MEMORIALS: Lions of Illinois Foundation for Vision Impaired