Melna “Jean” Engelage passed away in Lake St. Louis, MO, on June 9, 2022. She was born in Warrenton on December 8, 1930, to Elihu William and Mary E. Bueneman nee Berndt. She attended Wright City High School graduating in 1948. After graduating high school, she attended Lindenwood College for two years before marrying Norman A. “Chip” Engelage on September 15, 1951. They resided on the Engelage farm in Defiance, MO, (Defiance Ridge Vineyards) where they raised three children, Darrell, Randy, and Cheryl. In 1968, she returned to Lindenwood College where she completed her degree in 1972. She taught 5th and 6th grade in Wentzville until 1991. In 1982, she and Chip moved to their farm in Wright City.
Jean was the organist for many years at St. Paul’s UCC Church in Defiance. She was a member of the Wright City Memorial Society as well as past president of Ladies Auxiliary of Les Singer VFW in Wright City, where she and Chip were instrumental in starting the Avenue of Flags at Wright City Cemetery.
She is survived by her three children; Darrell (Judy) Engelage, Randy Engelage, and Cheryl (Bill) Cunningham; seven grandchildren, Tricia (Joe) Dattilo, Greg (Theresa) Engelage, Lori (Charlie) Belleville, Heather Engelage, Alicia Hicks (Shea Devins), Caitlin (Patrick) Anderson and Clay (Alexis) Cunningham; ten great-grandchildren; Madisen and Sophie Dattilo, Landon and Braden Engelage, Chandler Belleville, Adriana Rodgers, Kai Devins, Camille and Lydia Anderson, and Ryder Cunningham; sister-in-law, Dorothy Howell; nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Chip Engelage; parents, Elihu W. and Mary Bueneman nee Berndt; brothers, E. W. (Wanda) Bueneman, Jr. and Jim (Donna) Bueneman.
Visitation will be held Sunday, June 12, 2022, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Pitman Funeral Home in Wentzville. Funeral services will be held the following day, Monday, June 13, at 10 a.m. at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Defiance, MO. Burial will follow at the St. Paul UCC Cemetery. Memorials may be made payable to: St. Paul's United Church of Christ Cemetery Fund or Wright City Cemetery Memorial Society, in care of Pitman Funeral Home, P. O. Box 248, Wentzville, MO, 63385.
