Beaverton Historical Society
Gladwin County Obituary/Death Notice
 
Earl Engelbrecht
Community loses hard-working member

   GLADWIN – Ask anyone who knew Earl Engelbrecht and they’ll tell you he was a good personal who was always willing to help out.

   The local business owner and Mason #397 F&AM Stewart passed away Friday, Jan. 19 at his home in Gladwin at the age of 75.

   According to Christ the King Lutheran Pastor Dave Sprang, Engelbrecht was not the type of person you’d see at the front of the room making speeches, but the one working hard behind the scenes to get something done.

   “He really wanted to be involved in the community,” Sprang said.

   Fellow Mason Ken Marcum agreed with Sprang. “He was a very hard working Mason,” Marcum said. In fact, it was Engelbrecht who organized the M-DOT Coffee Break at the rest stop in Clare during the July 4th holiday since 1991, and at the time of his passing he was part of the committee who was working to get an elevator in the Mason’s Lodge. Engelbrecht was also involved with Rotary International, both in Ohio, where he and his family lived prior to moving here 34 years ago, and Gladwin. He was also involved with the Bay Consistory, and El Khurafeh Shrine Temple, both Vacationland and Frontier Shrine Clubs. He was also a Fraternal member of Phi Kappa Epsilon and Theta Xi, Sigma chapter.

   He also enjoyed working on projects that involved helping out kids. One event he enjoyed sharing with youth was the Shrine Circus. “In recent years he was involved in organizing bus trips from the schools to the Shrine Circus,” said fellow Mason Dan Pahl.

   Engelbrecht also helped out at the Halloween party at Gladwin school, Boy Scouts troop 675, and Band Boosters at Gladwin High School. “Earl was always willing to lend a hand whenever he could,” Pahl said.

   For the past 17 years, Engelbrecht also owned and operated his own business – Sugartown Products, Inc. – where he manufactured gourmet charcoal.

   “Earl would cut wood into chunks and bake it,” Pastor Sprang said. “It wasn’t like the black, charcoal briquettes you buy in the store.”

   After a short battle with cancer, Engelbrecht passed away in his home, according to Sprang, surrounded by his family. “His whole family was able to come and be there with him Saturday night when he died,” Sprang said. “He wanted to come home. He wanted to be in his own bed.”

   Engelbrecht leaves behind his wife of 51 years, Pat; sons, Warren and Leigh; granddaughters, Emily and Megan; and brothers, Charles and Gordon. Engelbrecht will lie in state Friday, Jan. 25 at Christ the King Lutheran Church, from 1 p.m. until the service at 3:30 p.m. Pastors David Sprang and Charles Marble will officiate a service celebrating his life. A Masonic Memorial Service will be Sunday, Feb. 3 at 4 p.m. at Gladwin Masonic Lodge, 200 N. Silverleaf Ave., refreshments following. The public is welcome to attend.

   In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, 2211 North Oak Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60707-3392.

   For a full obituary, please see A-2.

 
 
Personal Information
Death Date
Burial/Final Location
Service
01/19/2008
Highland Cemetery, Gladwin, MI
unk
 
Publication Information
Pub. Date
Publication
Pub. Page
01/23/2008
Gladwin County Record, Gladwin, MI
P:A1 C:?
 
Transcription Information
Date
Transcribed by
Source Media
September 2009
Bob Frei
Microfilm
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Posted by Bob Frei with the assistance of Jeff Naugle