Robert 'Bobby Joe' Engelen

LEOPOLD, Mo. -- Robert Joseph "Bobby Joe" Engelen, 64, of Leopold passed away Friday, March 31, 2017, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

Born on Feb 12, 1953, in Lutesville, Missouri, he was the fifth child of Paul William and Mary "Elizabeth" Bueter Engelen.

Bob grew up on the Engelen Century Farm near Leopold. He attended the Leopold schools, graduating in 1971. He entered basic training with the U.S. Army in 1971 and trained as a heavy-equipment operator at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He spent seven years with the 1140th Engineer BN in Cape Girardeau.

He married Annabel Marie Seiler on Aug. 19, 1972, at St. John Catholic Church. To their union, seven children were born: Michael (Annette) Engelen of New Wells, Melissa (Ron) Lincoln, Scott (Melinda) Engelen, David (Angel) Engelen, Deanna (Chris) Brown, Kristina (Chad) VanGennip and Cassie Engelen, all of Leopold.

With the faithful support and love of his wife, Bob taught his seven children to work and respect the farm, which provided their livelihood. His work ethic examples led his children to work on the farm, to respect the dirt, and to achieve what they were capable of doing.

He was a lifelong member of the St. John Catholic Church in Leopold; a board member of the Leopold-Glennon Mutual Aid Society; and a 3rd degree Knight of Columbus with Council 5898.

Besides his wife and children, he is survived by a brother, Leonard Engelen of Leopold; two sisters, Mary Ellen Wilhelm of Bosworth, Missouri, and Glenda Wotipka of Owensville, Missouri; a sister-in-law, Catherine Engelen of Leopold; 12 grandchildren; and many other children who called him PaPa.

Preceding him in death were his parents and a brother, Sylvester Engelen.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Hutchings Funeral Chapel in Marble Hill, Missouri. Parish prayers will be at 7 p.m.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at St. John Catholic Church in Leopold. Father David Coon will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery.