Joseph Charles JC Engelmeyer passed away January 19, 2007, after a long battle with several illnesses. Joe was born November 29, 1921 to John and Marie (Leibel) Engelmeyer. He attended country school north of Burke and for a short period of time attended a parochial school in Gregory as his parents believed he was destined to become a Catholic Priest. When designs on his future priesthood fell through, he returned to country school through the elementary grades, graduating from Burke High School in 1939. After graduation, Joe farmed with his Dad on his dads homestead north of Burke.

On February 3, 1945, he was united in marriage to Mildred Hlavka. To this union, two children were born: Dennis and Carol. Joe and Mildred stayed on the farm, continually expanding their farming and ranching operation until they moved to Burke in 1979. Enjoying his work with cattle and the land, his philosophy included the bigger is better theory. He continued to farm until a stroke in 1993 left him unable to drive a tractor.

No longer able to farm, he spent his spare time attending farm sales, Rosebud Coin Club auctions, spending time with his grandchildren, and having coffee with friends. He was an avid collector of antiques, retired relics from the landfill, and many collectibles too numerous to mention. His collection of antiques and useful stuff finally outgrew available space and he was forced to purchase the Zutz building just off of Main Street. Although he wouldnt sell any of his prized possessions, he was often open for tours and gave items away to whomever he thought could use them.

Joe was very active in state and local politics for many years, having the ear of many of the states leaders. A proud member of the Republican Party, he was very opinionated and wasnt shy about voicing his thoughts on issues that concerned him. He was a Gregory County Commissioner for 16 years. In addition he was a past president of District III Planning and Development, past president of the South Central Child Development, church trustee for Sacred Heart Catholic Church, board member for the Catastrophic County Poor Relief Program and was a member of the Gregory County Soil Conservation. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, South Dakota Stockgrowers, Livestock Improvement Association, and was active in local 4-H, hosting judging schools for many years. At the time of his death he was working to preserve history through clippings he organized into scrapbooks.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother John Engelmeyer, sisters-in-law Marie (Hlavka) Iden, Anna (Hlavka) Schunemann, and brothers-in-law Harold Schunemann, Irwin Flakus, and Rueben Iden.

Grateful for having shared his life, he is survived by Mildred, his wife of 61 years; his son Dennis (Agnes) of Watertown; his daughter Carol (Myron) Johnson of Burke; seven grandchildren, and six great grandchildren; a sister, Pauline (Paul) Rust of Burke; sisters-in-law Gail Engelmeyer of Burke, Olga Flakus of Colome; brothers-in-law Milo (Lorraine) Hlavka of Burke and Jim (Delores) Hlavka of Glendale, AZ; along with numerous nieces and nephews, each of which were very special to Joe.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 at 10:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Burke. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery, Burke. There will be rosary on Tuesday 7:00 PM at the church. Visitation will be Tuesday at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke and one hour prior to both services at the church.