Engel, Charles John
MIDDLETON - Charles John Engel, age 57, was born into eternal life Sunday, May 4, 2003, at his home in Middleton. He was born April 18, 1946, at Methodist Hospital in Madison, the son of Carlton and Mary Engel of Cocoa Beach, Fla. Charles graduated from Madison West High School in 1964. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1965 to 1969. Charles served two tours in Vietnam from 1966 to 1968 with the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, forging a brotherhood with his fellow Marines that would last forever. After leaving the Marine Corps, Cpl. Charles continued his service to the public by joining the Dane County Sheriff's Department in 1972, where he served until 1986. During that time, Charles advanced his education by earning an associate degree of criminal science, bachelor of science degree from Milton College in 1978. He taught police science at Madison Area Technical College. In 1979, Charles completed the hazardous explosive devices course (E.O.D.) at the U.S. Army Missile and Munitions Center and School in Huntsville, Ala., earning him a qualifying position on the Dane County Bomb Squad. Charles also was a member of the Dane County S.W.A.T. team.

Charles is survived by his devoted wife, Marion (Hughes), whom he married in 1981 at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Madison; and their loving children, Nicole and Michael. He is also survived by his parents, Carlton and Mary Engel, Cocoa Beach Fla.; two brothers, Lewis (Jane) Engel, Merritt Island, Fla., and Robert (Mary) Engel, Circle Pines, Minn.; two sisters, Julia Parsons, Dubuque, Iowa, and Dorothy (Doug) Rick, Pacific Grove, Calif.; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, George and Evelyn Hughes; three brothers-in-law, Rick Hughes, Madison, Mark (Angie) Hughes, Pewaukee, and Mike (Kate) Hughes, Des Moines, Iowa; many nieces and nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews; close friends, Larry Howard and Kevin Ryan; and many other friends from the Veteran's Administration, V.F.W. Post No. 8216, Dane County Sheriff's Department, the Dane County Bomb Squad and S.W.A.T. team. He was preceded in death by his brother, David.

Charles was very involved in the community, actively participating in such groups as the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 8216, active member of the D.A.V. Commanders Club, the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club, team representative of Southwest Eagles Youth Hockey Association, and assistant scout master of Boy Scouts of America Troop No. 640. Charles enjoyed camping, rebuilding and fixing cars, working on home projects, cooking, gardening, and spending time with his family. These were all some of his favorite pastimes.

Visitation will be at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL HOME, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, Thursday, May 8, 2003, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Funeral services will begin at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL HOME Friday, May 9, 2003, at 9:30a.m., with Chaplain Charles D. Peterson presiding, followed by a luncheon at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 8216, 6710 Century Ave., Middleton. Burial services will be held at 2 p.m. at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Union Grove.