Gerald F. Engel

August 19, 1927 - October 11, 2017

GERALD F. ENGEL, 90 of Grand Island, former resident of Grant, passed away Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at Grand Island Veterans Home. Gerald was born on August 19, 1927, to William and Grace Engel in Keith County. The family moved to the farm in Perkins County in 1929. He attended District #62 country school before attending the Perkins County High School, where he participated in band, football and FFA. Gerald graduated with the class of 1947. Following his education, Gerald worked for the Pankonin Bros. for a year before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in January of 1948. Following his honorable discharge in 1951, Gerald was employed at the Boeing Bomber Plant in Wichita, KS, until 1954. He then returned to Grant and opened Engel Radio & TV as a tv/radio repairman in April of 1954.Gerald was a longtime member of the Grant Volunteer Fire Dept, the Grant Lions Club and the American Legion Post #40. He served as Commander of the Legion Post in 1968 and 1969. Gerald became a member of the Grant Lions Club in 1957. Gerald had been very active in the Boy Scouts since 1960 and served as District Commissioner in 1969. He was a member of the Grant Chamber of Commerce and was secretary/treasurer in 1962. Gerald became a member of Zion Lutheran Church in 1967. In 2012, Gerald moved to the Grand Island Veterans Home. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Grace Engel; 3 brothers, William, Max and Harold Engel; 3 sisters, Maxine Hall, Edith Rasco and Ruth Joosten; 2 sisters-in-law Agnes Engel and Nancy Engel; 2 brothers-in-law Wally Hall and Tex Rasco; nephew Timothy Engel and great nephew Moses Simpson. Survivors include his 2 brothers, Fred and wife Pat Engel of Grant, NE, and Paul Engel of Westminster, CA; 1 brother-in-law Doug Joosten of River Falls, WI; 12 nephews, 11 nieces, numerous great nieces and great nephews and cousins. Memorials are suggested to the Grant Volunteer Fire Department in Gerald's memory. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com, where the service will also be streamed live for those unable to attend. Services will be held on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Grant with Pastor Ben Francisco officiating. Burial with military honors will be at the Ft. McPherson National Cemetery at Maxwell. Visitation will be on Monday from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the Bullock-Long Funeral Home in Grant. Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant is in charge of arrangements.