Ethel C. Engle

Ethel Engle was a wonderful woman, a passionate, supportive woman, with a remarkable zest for life. From her enormous garden, to the wildlife on the farm, Ethel loved all of nature. "I like things alive," she was fond of saying. Yet nothing made her feel more alive than the warm love of her family that surrounded her. That love lives on today in all who knew her. Ethel's story began on a cold winter day in Muskegon, Michigan, just as the calendar turned the page to 1922. Those were exciting times in this country, as America was reveling in the quiet peacetime following World War I and the start of the Roaring 20s, even as Prohibition had quieted the country's spirits. On January 21, 1922, Henry and Teckla (Ogren) Westerhouse found further reason to celebrate, with the birth of their youngest child, a beautiful baby girl they named Ethel. Ethel joined older siblings Gertrude, Louise and Orville in the family home, which was located on Little Black Lake. Her father worked for Brunswick two days a week during the dark days of the Great Depression, when jobs were so scarce, in addition to a nursery and farm the family owned. Growing up during the Depression had a profound impact on Ethel, as it did on so many who lived through such times, helping shape the person she became. Ethel attended Little Black Lake School, before going on to Muskegon Heights High School. Like so many young people in those days, Ethel left school in the 11th grade to find work and help her family. They all sacrificed, yet were always very happy, and remained extremely close her whole life. In 1939, Ethel attended Baker College in Muskegon without a high school diploma, and proudly earned her GED later in life. When she was a young woman, a friend introduced her to a handsome young man named Edward Engle, who immediately fell head-over-heels in love with the beautiful young Ethel. She had to be convinced about him, however. Finally, he won her over, and they dated the next two years, going to Grange Hall dances in Cloverville, Michigan, going to parties, skating or visiting with friends. Eventually, they were married, on July 21, 1944, in a small ceremony in Muskegon Heights, followed by chicken dinners in Nunica with their families. The newlyweds honeymooned in Pentwater, Michigan. The couple rented their first home in Fruitport, on Dangl Road near Ellis Road. Edward provided for his new bride by working at the family farm on Sheridan Road, a large, 47-acre farm full of vegetables and fruits, and rather unique for those days, the farm was completely organic. It wasn't long before the happy husband and wife became father and mother, as well. Ethel and Ed celebrated the birth of their first child, Marve, on November 11, 1945, which made them both so ecstatic. The growing family then bought a home in Cloverville just down the road on Dangl, and lived there three years. Then they bought a home next to the farm, complete with 10 acres of its own, a home that would mean so much to them over the years. Shortly after moving there, they celebrated the birth of Sandra, on August 5, 1949. Ethel did the bookkeeping for the family business, in addition to her role as homemaker and mother, and eventually drove the school bus for Fruitport from 1956-62. She also raised her two children, and was an incredible mother. Ethel was always so supportive of her family, so giving, nurturing and gentle. She was also a tremendous cook, teacher and friend, who taught her children to value education dearly. She and Ed sacrificed much over the years to help put their kids through college. Both Marve and Sandra each graduated from Michigan State with degrees. Ethel was so proud of her kids for graduating college, and for all their achievements. When Marve graduated, he returned home and moved next door to his parents, and went to work for the family business. He was so close to his parents, and had coffee with them every morning. Later in life, Sandra would join the business, as well. Ethel's life was far from all work and no play, however. She and her beloved Ed enjoyed a wonderful life together, and loved to travel often. They visited the Grand Canyon, the Hoover Dam, Las Vegas, Jamaica, many trips to the Upper Peninsula and other places. They simply loved to be together, and Ethel was very supportive of her husband. He became very active in Fruitport politics, and she helped him in any way she could, 100 percent, just as she did everything. The Fruitport community recognized their contributions and service by designating them as King & Queen of Old Fashioned Days in 1989. Ethel also had a beautiful garden over an acre in size, which she tended to faithfully. She had many bird feeders throughout the yard, and loved to study the many different birds visiting her backyard. "I like things alive," she loved to say. She did get mad at all the squirrels who stole all the food, though! But as a true nature lover, she fed those squirrels, too. Most beloved were her prized Yorkshire terriers, of which she bred and raised many over the years. Ethel was deeply affected by the death of her mother in 1970, and her father in 1983 at the age of 96, as well as her siblings, who she was so close to. She and Louise spent many wonderful times together over the years. Her spirits soared, though, with the birth of her granddaughters, first Heather in 1990 and Brooke in 1993. She was very close to them, and they deeply loved their "Grandma across the field." Both girls attended Ethel and Ed's 50th wedding anniversary party, which meant so much to her. Sadly, her beloved Ed died in February of 1999, which changed her life in an instant. She wasn't accustomed to being independent, and the transition was understandably hard for her. Then in 2002, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and she went to live at Day Springs Assisted Living Center, where she eventually came to make many friends. Sadly, Ethel died October 15, 2006. Ethel was a wonderful woman, a woman so supportive and giving, a beautiful, generous wife, mother and grandmother, who had a passion and zest for life. Today her life, and her love, lives on in the hearts of all who knew her. She will be greatly missed. SURVIVORS: Son, Marve (Nancy) Engle of Fruitport; daughter, Sandra Engle of Fruitport; 2 granddaughters, Heather & Brooke; several nieces & nephews and her dear dog Katie. She was preceded in death by her husband Ed in 1999. SERVICE: Thursday, October 19, 2006, 11 a.m. at Clock Chapel - Fruitport with officiating. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. VISITATION: Wednesday, 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Fruitport.