Charles Engelhart

Joseph Charles Engelhart, 86, of Jackson passed away Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011, at his home.

He was born April 23, 1924, at the family farm near Pocahontas, son of Joseph C. and Alvinia Gerharter Engelhart. He and Joy Statler were married June 12, 1954, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Pocahontas.

He was a lifelong member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Pocahontas, where he taught Sunday school for 35 years, was a past member of the church council and formerly served as president and secretary. Charles was Bible camp director of Dixon Spring and Little Grassy Bible camps for 15 years. He was a former member of Cape County Farm Bureau and Extension Council, and a board member of Riverside Regional Library for 33 years, also serving as president. He was a Republican committeeman from the Pocahontas precinct for 38 years, was an avid gardener and a past member of Cape Girardeau County Master Gardeners.

He and Joy square danced with the former Hilltoppers and Cape County Swingers Clubs. He enjoyed a good polka, fishing his ponds and croquet.

Charles was a 1941 graduate of Jackson High School and a charter member of the Jackson FFA Chapter. While in high school, he and his father started a Grade A dairy farm which he continued with his family until 1991 when he retired from dairying. He was a past member of SEMO Dairymen Inc. and was instrumental in organizing the June Dairy Festival that was held a number of years. He was a member of the Cape Girardeau County Planning and Zoning Commission and former administrator. After retiring from dairying, he continued to crop farm and became a nurse's assistant at Southeast Missouri Hospital until he suffered a stroke in 2004.

Loving survivors include his wife of 56 years; a daughter, Frances Kuntz of Cape Girardeau; two sons and daughters-in-law, Dirk and Pat Engelhart, Paul and Carol Engelhart of Jackson; five grandchildren, Rachel and Jeremy Engelhart, and Tyler, Katelyn and Alexis Engelhart; and a sister, Verna Vogel of Cape Girardeau.

Also surviving are three brothers-in-law, William "Rudy" (Mary) Statler of Pace Fla., Gene (Judi) Statler of New London, Mo., and Glenn (Karen) Statler of Sedgewickville; and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Joseph C. Engelhart Jr.; son-in-law, Phil Kuntz; brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Mary Engelhart; brother-in-law, Mel Vogel; and niece, Mary Ann Engelhart.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson, and from 10 a.m. until time of service Saturday at St. John's Lutheran Church in Pocahontas.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. at the church, with the Rev. Bruce Ritter officiating.

Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Tyler and Jeremy Engelhart, Bryce Engelhart, David Vogel, Robert Vogel, Jon Statler and Phil Statler.

Honorary pallbearers will be; Don Bogenpohl, Gus Preusser, Joe Gohn, Earl Reisenbichler, Clarence Kieninger, Nelson Trickey, Mark Nussbaum, Marvin Schoen, Leonard Ludwig and friends who have gone before: Glenn Whitledge, Norman Leimbach, Nelson Kieninger, Leslie Kieninger, Charles Trickey, Kenneth Popp, Marvin Ludwig, Ruben Bogenpohl and Elmer Reisenbichler.

Memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, Saxony Lutheran High School or Southeast Hospice.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.