Craig R. Engelking, 73, of Algoma, WI, passed away on March 7, 2021. He was
born on March 8, 1947 in Portage, WI to (Rev.) Edgar Richard Engelking and
Veles Virginia (Bigelow) Engelking. He was the oldest of six children in the
Engelking household.
He is survived by his wife Barbara Jean Marit who he married on July 5, 1969.
Was blessed with four children, John (Dena) Engelking, of Enterprise, Alabama;
James Engelking, of Algoma; Andrew (Beth) Engelking, of Luxemburg; and Aaron
(Dana) Engelking, of Luxemburg. Further blessed with 10 grandchildren, John &
Dena’s children, Jonah, Jonathon, and Savannah; Andrew & Beth’s children, Ethan and Elise; Aaron’s and Dana’s children, Marshall, Libbie, and Scarlett; and further blessed with three grandchildren, John’s stepchildren, Brandon Herrne and Nathan Wing; and Jim’s stepchild Tyler Gauger; and further blessed with one great grandchild, Nathan’s child, David Wing. He is further survived by sisters, Janelle (Nate) Engelking, Karmelle (Charlie) Gross; by brothers, William Engelking, Scott (Carol) Engelking; brothers-in-law Gary (Lori) Marit, and Larry Marit; as well as by many other nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by both parents; one brother, Keith Engelking, of Elkhart, Iowa.
He attended Random Lake High School and Algoma High School, graduating from Algoma High School in 1965. Attended college and graduated with highest honors from Mechanical Design Engineering program. Before entering the US Navy, worked in the engineering departments of Badger-Northland/Massey Ferguson Corp., and briefly at Hamachek Machine co. Served in the US Navy as an engineer and with a naval intelligence group serving with riverine units in the Republic of South Vietnam and on a guided missile cruiser from east coast ports and briefly at a number of shore stations. He served as a Deputy Sheriff with the Kewaunee County Sheriff's Department for 26 years, retiring in 1997. After retiring from the Sheriff's Department he returned to school to finish his engineering studies, graduating with highest honors. He then worked as an engineer for Amplas Corp., a design engineer for Carver Yachts and as a systems and project engineer for Palmer Johnson Yachts retiring again in 2008.
He served the St. John’s Lutheran Church congregation as a member of the Board of Education, Treasurer, Elder, and briefly as a Sunday School Teacher.
He enjoyed solving engineering problems, engineering and building things in his workshop, target shooting, fishing, woodworking, aviation, motorcycle riding, and cooking. He was a member of the Patriot Guard Riders, a longtime member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, the NRA, and a lifetime member of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association and Amvets post 42.
Visitation will take place in the parish hall at St. John’s Lutheran Church – Rankin from 9:00-10:45 am on Friday, March 12, 2021. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 am in the chapel with Dr. Rev. Christopher Jackson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with full military rites. Due to COVID-19, social distancing will be practiced, and facemasks are required to be worn. Online condolence messages may be shared at www.wiesnermassart.com.
