Bennett “Benny” Lee Engel was born Dec. 27, 1946, in Wayne, to Bennett and Frances (Johnston) Engel, and passed away peacefully on Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, at his home near Beaver Crossing at the age 75.
As a young boy, Benny and his family moved to Beaver Crossing, where he attended Beaver Crossing Public School and was a 1965 graduate. He was employed with Hughes Bros. in Seward and later with the Farmers’ Cooperative of Beaver Crossing until his retirement in 1992. Benny later farmed with his father for a period of time. He was united in marriage to Laurel Stutzman in 1966 and to this union, two sons, Scott and Shawn were born. Benny bartended part-time at the Lloyd’s Beaver Lounge and at the American Legion. He married Marilyn Law in 1976 and together resided in Beaver Crossing. Benny worked for Phil Miiller, a close friend of the family east of Beaver Crossing and other farmers who needed a helping hand. Benny was always willing to help other people and rarely said no. He was the sextant and held the records for the Beaver Crossing Cemetery for many years. He was blessed to find Nance Percival and on Feb. 27, 2002, they were married in Seward and a daughter, Meggan, joined the family. He was a member of the Sons of the American Legion of Beaver Crossing. Benny enjoyed gardening, tending to his farm animals, feeding his birds, his fish ponds and taking great pride with his yard. Benny’s personality was infectious and made people around him feel welcome, he was a loving and thoughtful man and had a great sense of humor.
Survivors include his wife, Nance, Beaver Crossing; sons and daughter-in-law, Scott and Barb Engel of Utica, Shawn Engel of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; daughter and son-in-law, Meggan and Jeff Weber, Friend; grandchildren, Sydney Engel and fiancé, Luke Post, Michaela Engel and fiancé, Jacob Young, Chelsie Engel, Kylie and Justin Weber, Justin (Clarissa) Mueller, Karri Anne (Chris) Hager, Andy (Rachel) Kunert, Josh Kunert, and Jessica Stutzman; brother-in-law, Norman Percival; sister-in-law, Kim Hodgen, all of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, many cousins and a host of other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Beth Engel; former wife, Marilyn; grandson, Jordan Czajkowski; granddaughter, Alex Weber; and a sister-in-law, Norma Jean Menke.
It was Benny’s wishes that there would be no service, however, a visitation for Benny will be Thursday, Jan. 6, at the Beaver Crossing United Methodist Church from 2 to 8 p.m. where family will receive friends and relatives from 5 to 7 p.m. Memorial contributions are suggested to the family for future designation. Condolences may be left for the family online at lauberfh.com.
