Obituaries

Daddy, I miss you dearly. I wanted to say thank you to your brothers and sisters who were there to support you and all of your children. (Aunt Maurn) I know you are hurting, thank you for all that you did for us, it had to be difficult. Uncle Bob and to all your boys, wow!, thank you for being our pillars. Dad, I remember working with you since I was 10 years old and you teaching me the values of life. I remember your whistle, your jokes, and your gifts of kindness and service. I will always remember my first ball glove, my first red bike you taught to ride, my basketball and all the times you spent with me and my siblings. You adored the Blessed Virgin Mary and I will never forget what God and your beliefs meant to you. You were a great man and thank you for making me who I am today! Laurie and Annette thank you for taking care of dad in the past few months. It was so difficult being so far away and wanting to be there everyday to help. All the testimonies speak for themselves, may you rest in peace dad, and please watch over all of us. Give that beautiful grandson, AJ, a hug for us every day. And you better be playing catch with him like you promised Adam. I love you dad, may the perputual light shine upon you. Mary Lynn

When the Engroffs entered a large parish in Boynton Beach, Florida, there must have been an experience of alienation after a lifetime of close Kansas community. No neighbors with whom they had shared life's births and baptisms, proms and weddings, triumphs and funerals. No fans of secondary or college teams that they knew. No customers with whom they had lifetime bonds. Their children all raised and in homes of their own. But the late Jim Engroff knew how to overcome all the strangeness and culture shock. First of all, people recognized in him a gift for relationships that had been formed by a lifetime of living for the common good while meeting responsibly the challenges of community. He knew how to belong and all of us learned from him ways of belonging to each other. The Faith we professed found very practical expression, not only in his "Do unto others," but in his requiring us to make our communion authentic. We already had our accomplished Italian chefs, but now found ourselves gathering more often to celebrate each other around the table. Great sadness visited Jim in Florida, and we would like to believe that he found support among us. Believing that he continues with his grandson within the embrace of the Father's love comes easily. Boynton Beach will long remember Jim for a hospitable program called Alpha. His life experience had prepared him for this, to set a table for the seekers who were looking to the Faith they had mislaid. He would see that they were warmly welcomed and fed so that they could comfortably chat about their meanings and questions, as they listened again to the One within. In that Alpha course, the Kansas Engroffs blessed Boynton Saint Thomas More. There are many for whom the happy memory is one of life's landmarks. May perpetual light shine upon a most loveable man of God.

I am so sorry to hear about Jim. You and your family are in my prayers.

I just noticed Jim's funeral being mentioned on Facebook. First class gentleman. I remember his Army stories and seeing the movie he took at the Brussels World Fair - 1958, I think.

Thinking of my cousins, aunts, uncles and loved ones today. Sorry for your loss prayers and love go out to you. Rest in peace Uncle Jim Love to all of you. Jackie & Rylee

To Jimmy's family--- I am going to miss Jimmy, he was a standard at every game I attended at Hayden, he was alwasy at church functions, and of course when the sausage brothers got together, then we had the best german sausage on the planet. Jimmy was a wonderful soul, and Heaven gained a great man. Not sure how I am going to make it through my games without my sports buddy Jimmy. He was a blessed man. :0)

Lori and Engroff Family Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Many fond memories of Jim and the Sacred Heart Mafia. Jake and Lisa Esser

So sorry for your loss Annette. Thinking of you and your family and hoping you are all getting through this tough time.

Jim was such an upbeat person. I delivered dairy products to the Engroff store at 10th and MacVicar back in the late 70s, and he always had a smile on his face. Also, I would see Jim among the crowd at the GermanFest from time to time through the years. May your happy memories of him lift you from sorrow at this sad time.

Please express our sympathy to Jim's family and we are sorry that we are unable to attend the funeral.

Engroff Family - So sorry to hear of Jim's passing. I grew up on Grattan St. so spent a lot of time in the corner store. I remember when Jim & Jay bought the store from Paul Petty. Also a very fond memory of Jim & Jay having an old antique car and taking the neighborhood kids for rides in it.

My son has played ball at Hayden for the past 4 years. We never missed speaking to each other. I loved seeing him at the games as much as he liked going. He was a happy person and he will be missed. The games will not be the same without him on the sidelines.

Dearest Engroff families - We are so sorry to learn of Jim's death. Jim and all of you have been cherished friends of our family for many years. We will always remember Jim for his enthusiasm and as a very special "gentleman". We love you all and will be holding you close in thought and prayer. Duane & Rosie

Judy & family, we were so saddened to hear about Jim. Many fond memories; he was a gentle man and a gentleman. Sending our prayers and love to you. Jane & Dick Elliott

Julie and Laurie and all the family-We send our love and sympathy. We remember him from years ago when you were at Hayden with Laura-He was so warm and friendly. It is hard to lose your dad.

So sorry for your loss. May God give you peace in this difficult time. God Bless.

Jim, the miles separated us for many years, you were one of the greatest people I ever knew and will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.

Dear Friends - Seems like just yesterday I was visiting with Jim at a Hayden basketball game (or any other event there for that matter!). We'll feel his loss throughout our entire community. You're in our thoughts and prayers.

mary, thinking of you at this tough time. you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Do not stand by my grave and weep I am not there, I do not sleep I am a thousand winds that blow I am the diamond glints on snow I am the sunlight on ripened grain I am the gentle autumn rain When you awake in the morning's hush I am the swift upflinging rush Of quiet birds in circling flight I am the soft starlight at night, Do not stand at my grave and cry I am not there, I did not die Our deepest sympathy goes out to your family.

Our deepest sympathy to your family. God bless.

Judy and family--GOD BLESS YOU

Rest in peace, Uncle Jim. You and your stories will be missed by those that loved you.

We are saddened by Jim's passing. Bill Lutz said he and Clyde Hinkle went to see Jim at St. Francis. We were in the same class at Hayden. Our thoughts and pryers are with you! Rest in Peace Jim

Special thoughts and prayers to the Engroff family. Dick and Carolyn Steinbock and Family

We were very sad to hear of the death of my dear cousin, Jim Engroff. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Engroff family during this difficult time. Jeff & Diana Paul

To the Engroff family, My and my wife Kelli's sincere sympathy to all of you on the death of one of my favorite neighbors, Mr. Engroff. I will always treasure the time I got to spend talking with him, getting his advice and sharing stories with him. I will never forget going into the old grocery store in Oakland and seeing him behind the meat counter. He was a great man. My prayers are with all of you at this time. May God Bless you all, Chris, Kelli, Annie and Conner Beurman Olathe, Kansas

Dear Family: our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. With love, Paul and Kathleen Urbom