John Bertram Engels

Born in Plaquemine on Feb. 15, 1925, and a resident of Baker for 80 years, John Bertram Engels Sr. died of kidney cancer on Saturday, March 10, 2007, at his home. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and "best friend" (wife) of 60 years, Lottie O'Callaghan Engels; his nine children and their spouses, Kitty Thibodeaux, Linda and Larry Richardson, Mary and Bill Rogers, John and Carolyn Engels, Yvette and Mac Babin, Joseph and Geri Engels, Anita and Earl Bercegeay, Dale and Katherine Engels. and Robert Engels; his brothers, Henry and Marionneaux Engels; his sisters, Anna Babin, Sally Nijoka, Julia Watts and Mae Hall; 21 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Arthur Engels Sr. and Myrtis Ann Marionneaux Engels; and four brothers, Joseph Arthur Engels Jr., Ted Engels, Fritz Engels and the Rev. Eugene Ray Engels. He was a World War II U.S. Army veteran. Bert retired in 1981 from Copolymer, where he worked as a power house operator. Bert was always there for everyone, providing great wisdom, strength, faith and courage. His family and friends share many wonderful memories of conversations over a cup of coffee, fishing and hunting tales, and always the sharing of abundant vegetables and fruits that Bert loved raising throughout his life. He loved to sing and his singing was contagious. Everyone would either join in or listen and enjoy. His family will sorely miss all the fun and enjoyment his music provided to their ears and hearts. He loved picking on his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and they relished his wonderful attention. Bert had a terrific sense of humor, cracking jokes at the least expected times, right up to the end of his life. Bert was a deeply spiritual man who prayed the rosary daily and whose guidance and example provided his family with deep-seated family values and religious beliefs. Words will never be able to express how much Bert will be missed by all. Visiting at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., on Monday, March 12, from 5 p.m.to 9 p.m., with recitation of the rosary at 7 p.m.Visiting at St. Isidore the Farmer Catholic Church, Baker, on Tuesday, March 13, from 8 a.m.until Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m., celebrated by the Rev. Fred Youngs. Interment will follow inResthavenGardensof Memory with John, Joseph, Dale, Robert, Henry and Marionneaux Engels, Earl Kling and Jewel Wilson serving as pallbearers. Memorial donations in his name may be made to Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge, 550 Lobdell Ave., Baton Rouge, LA70606.