Arley Engel

VISITATION:

Wednesday, July 22, 2015, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, 44 E. Columbia Street, Chippewa Falls WI, 54729

SERVICE:

11 a.m. Thursday, July 23, 2015, at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel

Arley R. "Buck" Engel 78, of Chippewa Falls, Town of Wheaton, passed away at his home on Sunday, July 19th.

Arley was born October, 20, 1936 at St. Joseph hospital in Chippewa Falls to Raymond and Evelyn Engel and grew-up on their family farm in the Town of Wheaton. He attended Sunnyside grade school and graduated from Chippewa Falls Senior High School in 1954.

On August 13, 1960, Arley married June Langworthy and they moved into their "Little House on the Prairie", where they raised two children.

For most of his working life Arley was an auto parts salesman for Griffin-Doege, which later became Northern Auto and then Carquest Auto Parts. He enjoyed his work and spending time with his customers, selling them raffle tickets, shaking dice for a soda or candy bar, showing them a binder of new pictures or sharing a joke.

Over the years, Arley was involved in numerous organizations in the Town of Wheaton and Chippewa area. He always gave 110% percent to that anything he was involved in. After he retired, he became a volunteer for the Chippewa County Historical Society. And he was very proud of that organization. He enjoyed writing articles for the Eagle Speaks, spending time with folks at the Past Passed Here and doing research for various projects. He was one of the founding members of the Chippewa Fire Protection District and served on the Parks and Planning Commission for the Town of Wheaton. He helped develop the Wheaton Fire Station and its ball parks and play areas, along with a boat landing on the Chippewa River that was a dream of his Dad's.

He loved to snowmobile and worked with many groups and officials to help develop the trail system in Chippewa County and connect to the state wide trail system. He had a knack for getting young and old, to "enjoy" volunteering for trail work and fundraisers, and spent countless hours of his time and money to make this area a great place to ride. He and his brother Bert were master float builders and won many awards for the Wheaton Fire Station and the Wheaton Knight Riders Snowmobile Club, in the Pure Waters Day and Bridge to Wonderland parades.

The years spent camping and boating at Liddell's on the river, were some of his favorite summer memories. He taught most of the neighbor kids how to water-ski, and loved taking family and friends for cruises on the SS Huckleberry paddlewheel boat, that he built. He really enjoyed the Monday morning "Farmers Breakfast" at Four-Corners, and always had something new in his briefcase and binders, to share with his lifelong neighborhood friends.

Arley is survived by his wife, June; son, Kevin (Lisa); daughter, Terri; and three grandchildren, Steph (Nick) Crawford of Amery, Ashley (Brian) Peterson of Stanley, and Alex (Lindsey) of Brookfield. He was very proud of his grandchildren and excited to learn that he was going to be a great-grandpa around August 1st. And although he will not get a chance to meet baby Maximus in person, his memory will be passed on, as Maximus learns to ride Grandpa Arley's white peddle car. Arley is also survived by his brothers, Gene, Dick (Kath) and Bert; sister-in-law, Sharon (Dick) Shea; and brother-in-law, Alan Langworthy; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family, and special friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Evelyn; brother, Charles Engel, and sister-in-law, Beverly Engel.

He was always smiling and believed that life should be fun, and tried to make it fun for everyone. Whenever you ran into him, he would have a copy of his latest joke, a binder full of pictures or an article to share. Arley will be remembered as someone who always helped his friends and family and was kind to everyone he met.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2015, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, 44 E. Columbia Street, Chippewa Falls WI, 54729. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 23, 2015, at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel with a visitation one hour prior to the service. The Rev. Robert B. Hoekstra will be officiating.