Obituaries
Obituary for Jerry Lee Engelkins
JERRY LEE ENGELKINS, 76, of Morrison, IL, passed from this life at his home with his wife by his side on Tuesday, August 1, 2023.
His funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at the Fulton Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home with Ken Renkes officiating. A visitation will precede the service starting at 11:00 AM until the time of the service. Burial will be at Garden Plain Cemetery. A memorial has been established.
Jerry was born on January 16, 1947, in Morrison, IL, to Bernard and Dorothy (Geerts) Engelkins. He attended Lockhart country school, Garden Plain Elementary School and graduated from Fulton High School, Class of “64”. He enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country for 4 years from 1965-1969, as a boiler technician 2nd Class E-5 on board the USS Mississinewa AO-144, serving in the Mediteranean Sea.
He married Diane (Bowman) Engelkins, the love of his life, on November 20, 1978 in Las Vegas, NV. They were married nearly 45 years.
Jerry was employed as a carmen welder at the Chicago Northwestern Railroad for 25 years. He also worked part time as a commercial fisherman. After injuries caused his early retirement, Jerry became a licensed taxidermist for 12 years. He was very proud of his work. He also enjoyed helping his father-in-law, Art Bowman, do farm work.
Jerry loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter, which he learned from his Grandpa Jabbes Geerts, the man whom he looked up to. He raised and trained four hunting dogs. “Rusty”, the coon hunter, Brandy and Chelsie (Irish Setters), bird dogs and Queen (Black Lab), bird dog. His passion was deer hunting for over 53 years.
Jerry was very proud of his yard and used to plant a large garden. He always said that he was born 100 years too late. He and Diane loved to travel by car, especially out West. Jerry also went to Washington, D.C. on the Honor Flight in 2018.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Diane; brother, Steve (Alice) Engelkins; sister-in-law, Carol (Larry) Clark; one daughter, Lisa; numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Art and Cleo Bowman; brother, Ricky Engelkins; sister, Vicky Steward and son, Chad Engelkins.
Jerry was a man - a son, grandson, brother, brother-in-law, a father, grandfather, an uncle, great uncle and a beloved husband.
Jerry knew God “His Heavenly Father” was always there and loved him unconditionally and that his son, Jesus, died so that he might live.
To plant a tree in memory of Jerry Lee Engelkins, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Saturday
5
Aug
11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
Bosma-Renkes - Fulton Chapel
1500 10th Avenue
Fulton, IL 61252
Service
Saturday
5
Aug
1:00 PM
Bosma-Renkes - Fulton Chapel
1500 10th Avenue
Fulton, IL 61252
Cemetery Details
Location
Garden Plain Central Cemetery
Garden Plain Road
Fulton, IL 61252
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