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The Rev. Emil J. Engelman, 93, of Dallastown, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, at 9:14 p.m. on Nov. 4.
Emil was born in Altoona on June 19, 1932, the son of the late Emil and Geraldine
(Burket) Engelman. He married his high school sweetheart, Nancy (Barr) Engelman, in February 1953 and had 70 wonderful years of marriage up until her death in February 2024.
Emil was ordained as a Lutheran minister on June 30, 1963, at First Lutheran Church, Altoona, after graduating from Gettysburg College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1960 and from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg with a master of divinity degree in 1963.
He served as a student pastor in 1961 at Karthaus, Keewaydin and Oak Hill, Clearfield County, and in 1962 at Lilly and Gallitzin, Cambria County. After ordination, he served the Harleton Charge comprised of the Laurelton, Swengel, Rays and Harleton churches. During his pastorate, the four churches merged and built a new church, education unit and fellowship hall. The Rev. Engelman served the new church -- Christ United or "The Four Bells Church" -- until late 1967. He then served Fourth Lutheran Church, Altoona, from 1967 to 1980. A new church complex was constructed under his leadership and dedicated in 1971.
He was called to Christ Lutheran Church, Dallastown, in October 1980 and served there until his retirement on Christmas Day 1999.
Throughout his calling, Emil was on the board and first treasurer of Camp Mt. Luther, served as chaplain of the VA hospital in Altoona, was a member of the Synodical Committee for the deaf, Synodical Evangelism Committee and chairman of the Parish Life Committee. He also served on the Spiritual Renewal Committee, was a delegate to the churchwide conversations in Dallas, Milwaukee and Seattle, and was a member of the Board of Directors of Lutheran Social Services, South Region, for nine years. The Rev. Engelman also served as a board member of the Shrewsberry Village and Strausburg Haus.
He is survived by his two daughters, Cynthia Howard (Ed) of Altoona and Alyn Nedimyer (Leo) of Lugoff, S.C.; two sons, Dr. Emil Eric Engelman (Robyn) of Dorr, Mich., and Hans K. Engelman (Karen) of Red Lion, Pa.; 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; one brother, Melvin Engelman of Altoona; and five sisters: Delores Patz, Jennifer Miller, Deborah Engelman, all of Altoona, Darlene Emigh of Roaring Spring and Joan Gorman of Lancaster.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Leo Engelman of Altoona.
A time to share memories and an opportunity to view will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 10 at Austin H. Eberly Funeral Home Inc., 104 W. Main St., Dallastown. An additional viewing and a time to celebrate his life will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at Christ Lutheran Church, 126 W. Main St., Dallastown, followed by an 11 a.m. service officiated by Pastor Patti Bream and Pastor Paul Frank. Interment will be at Blymire Cemetery, Dallastown.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to Dr. Puja Berry from Wellspan Surgical Specialist, Dr. Amit B. Shah from Wellspan Radiation Oncology and Joesph Kannarkatt from Wellspan Cancer Care of York. Also, the family would like to thank Sara, Angel, Amanda and Eric from Hospice & Community Care.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of the Rev. Engelman may be made to Asaph Teaching Ministry, 126 W. Main St., Dallastown, PA 17313.
To share condolences, please visit www.eberlyfuneralhome.com.