GREENVILLE, Mich. – Clarice Marilyn Engle passed away peacefully on Wednesday, the 26th of December, 2018, at Spectrum Health United Hospital cradled in the loving arms of Jesus.
Clarice was born Oct. 5, 1932, in Warsaw, to Merle and Clara Renz Shultz. She was the youngest of four children. She was raised on a farm, where she learned the strong work ethic that she carried throughout her life.
Clarice married the love of her life, Louis Elmo Engle, on Nov. 27, 1952. They celebrated 62 years of marriage before his passing on Nov. 21, 2015.
Clarice was a devoted wife and loving mother and grandmother, always putting others ahead of herself. She loved the Lord with all her heart and was a living testimony, and her strong prayer life carried through life’s many challenges. For many years she was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school, worked in the nursery and served in many other ministries.
Clarice was known for her roses and gardening skills and for her caramel corn that she made to share with many at Christmas time. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren enjoyed many fun-filled days at her pool, where they could always count on a treat of an ice cream cone, which she made even more special with mini marshmallows hidden in the cone.
Clarice was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Waneta (Ray) Knight and Pauline (Howard) Anders; brother, Ardon (Ginny) Shultz; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Louis and Dorthea Engle; great-granddaughter, Harper Adele Jillson; brother in-law, Jerry Engle; and sister in-law, Sue Engle.
She is survived by a daughter, Marilyn (David) Nelson; sons, Gary (Rae) Engle and Steve (Jodi) Engle; grandchildren: Kylle (Jill) Smith, Ashley (Charlie) Jillson, Stephanie (Mark) Burpee, Andrew (Catie) Engle and Kaci (Zach) VandenToorn; and great-grandchildren: Kali and Mylie VandenToorn and Mia and Graham Jillson.
She will be deeply missed, but we find peace and joy in God’s promise that we will be united in heaven with her one day.
The family would like to thank Ionia Area Hospice for their loving and tender care of Mom in her final days. Also, Spectrum Hospice and the wonderful staff at Spectrum Health United Hospital for the love and kindness shown to Mom and the family.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, at Calvary Baptist Church, 12501 Montcalm Ave. NE, Greenville, with visitation taking place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. prior to the service.
Interment will be in East Montcalm Cemetery.
Hurst Funeral Home, Greenville, Mich., is serving the Engle family.
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Memorials to Calvary Baptist Church.
Memories and messages of condolence may be shared at hurstfh.com.
