Engle Vander Veer, Jr. was born August 11, 1947, to Engle and Hazel (Milledge) Vander Veer in Harvey, Iowa. He had a sheltered childhood, with quiet Sundays reading the Des Moines Register. His mom was glad to keep house and dad was a carpenter in Knoxville. When he was four years old, they moved to the east side of town. Enlge had fond memories of going to church with his Grandpa Case wearing his black suit and hat. He worked with his Dad and also learned from watching his siblings: Paul, Wayne, Roy, Jim, Lavonne, Violet and Patty.

Engle attended school in Knoxville and was a 1965 graduate of Knoxville High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1967, attained the rank of E-5 second class shipfitter and was honorably discharged in 1970. While on leave from the Navy, he met the love of his life, Sharon Beyer, on Labor Day. One hundred letters later, they were married on December 2, 1969, and were married for 56 years.

Engle worked for Vermeer Manufacturing and 3M and retired in 2009. Following retirement, he enjoyed golfing with friends and working on the Vermeer Windmill.

For the last five years Engle battled Parkinsons and is now free from pain.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Sharon and their family:

Jason (Linnea) Vander Veer

Adrian

Jon (Dr. Emily Haines) Vander Veer

Hazel, Clara, Arthur

He is also survived by his brother Paul (Ruth) Vander Veer and his sisters Patty Williams, and Betty Vander Veer.

He was preceded in death by his parents Engle and Hazel Vander Veer, parents-in-law Arie and Ada Beyer, and his siblings: Jim, Roy, Jack, Wayne, Lavon and Violet. 

Memorials may be given to Community Living Center - VA or the Church of the Nazarene.