Staff Sergeant Max Alexander Engle

Staff Sergeant Max Alexander Engle, (Ret) went to be with his earthly family and his Lord Jesus Christ on Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at Grace Hospital in Morganton after an 11 day illness.Max was reunited with his beloved family when he passed from this life into his heavenly home. His passing was peaceful and gentle – with his nephew, James, by his side, befitting the way he lived his life on earth.Max, a well-known Christian, was a man of God and of the Scriptures and was a member of Burkemont Baptist Church. He was known to be a sort of encyclopedia of the Bible. He had been a leader of the Awana program for many years at the church. He had attained the highest awards possible as a leader and through the program. Max dearly loved teaching children, teaching the 5-6th grades in Awana, and the 2nd grade in Vacation Bible School. Max is also recognized for his 66 years of dedication to his church, making him one of the longest serving active members.Having served his country faithfully, Max retired from the U.S. Army. During his service he had been stationed in Germany and Korea.Born to the late Robert Singleton Engle and the late Florence Esther (Burns) Engle on August 16, 1934, he was the 5th of 6 children. Being the last surviving child of the Engle family, he joins all his brothers and sisters awaiting his arrival in Heaven. In addition to his parents, Max was preceded in death by his brothers, Lee Roy, Willis Ray, and James Richard Engle; and two dearly beloved sisters, Myrna Jean and Linda Lee Engle.Max is survived by a nephew, James R. Engle of Morganton; a great-niece, Nicole Engle Ramsey of Old Fort, NC; a great-nephew, Andy Lee Engle of Hickory, NC; twin great-great-nieces, Stephanie and Kellie Ann Ramsey of Old Fort; great-great-nephews, Michael Ramsey and Kyle C. Wheelon, of Old Fort; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Virginia (Richard) Engle of Morganton; and three special cousins, Fannie Nivens of York, SC, Betty Hines of Clover, SC, and Ralph (Carolyn) Currence of Clover.Funeral services for Max A. Engle will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, November 28, 2010 at Burkemont Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. David Mills and Pastor Dustin Scott officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:30 until 3:00 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Engle plot at Forest Hill Cemetery with military honors. At other times the family will be at the home of Virginia Engle, Moose Lodge Street, Morganton. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.