Lillian Engle
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Obituary for Lillian M. Engle

Lillian M. Engle, 91, died Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010 at Forest Park Health Campus in Richmond, Ind. She had been in failing health for several months.
She was born May 6, 1919 in Yugoslavia to Daniel and Natalia Silaggi. She came to the United States in 1922 at age 3 with her parents and they settled in Freeport. She was a 1936 graduate of Aquin Central Catholic High School.
She married William B. Engle Nov. 1, 1941 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Freeport, two months before he shipped out to serve his country in World War II. She loved life and was a spirited woman who sang with the Royce Truman jazz combo in her late teens and learned to fly an airplane at Albertus Airport, spending hours soaring around Freeport while her husband was away at war.
She is survived by her son, William (Jeanne) of Richmond, Ind.; and two daughters, Suzanne Engle (Stephen Nelson) of Chicago; and Mary Engle (Michael Urmann) of Berkeley, Calif.; grandchildren, Natalie and Olivia Engle of Richmond; Eleanor Nelson of Chicago; and Reed and Lily Urmann of Berkeley.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her younger brother Daniel, who died in 1983, and her husband, who died in 1996.
Lillian moved to Richmond in March 2007 to be closer to her son and his family. Throughout her life she remained devoted to her family and was a strong supporter of veterans and veteran’s affairs, but was also a vocal advocate for peace in the world.
Even though she struggled with her health for the last six months of her life, she had three glorious years in Richmond during which she showered her son and daughters and her grandchildren with the gift of her love, strength, and good humor. She loved opera, jazz, and gardening, and was a great supporter of public radio and television.
She will be greatly missed by her family.
Visitation is scheduled for 2-4 p.m., with a scripture service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home, 504 N. Walnut St., Freeport, IL 61032. A memorial fund has been established in Lillian’s name for Freeport Catholic Schools. Please send donations to the funeral home.
Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery

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